“Blessing vs. Warning”


BIBLE READING: 1 & 2 Thessalonians
DISCUSSION                                                                 
                Both First and Second Thessalonians are dominated by the theme of the second coming of Jesus Christ.  It seems from the writing that they had several questions concerning the Day of the Lord, like when it would happen, what about those that had already died, and what about those that were unprepared. These are some of the same questions that Christians have been asking for centuries.  As Paul writes he had a two-fold purpose, first to assure them of their salvation, but also to warn those that were not prepared.  Isn’t that what we are all in need of today as well?  We all want an assurance of salvation.  We all want to be bragged on when we do something good and right, but what about when we are not doing as we should?   Are we okay with be being scolded and warned when we are not living in a right relationship?  We better be, because according to Paul’s letter, he makes no bones about this warning.  Notice just how stern of a warning he issues in 2 Thessalonians 1 “…when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might,” (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9).  Church, it is very important that we consider the words of Paul that he made to the Romans, “Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God's kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness…” (Romans 11:22).  Assurance is a good thing when it is needed, but we mustn’t overlook the blessing of a stern warning as well…it just might save our soul.
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