Daily Readings and Thought for November 19th. “VENGEANCE ON THOSE WHO DO NOT KNOW GOD”
We quoted yesterday from todays’ 1st chapter of 2nd Thessalonians that Christ’s return will be to inflict “vengeance on those who do not know God” [v.8] – adding, “and on those who do not obey …”
This indicates that some people will say they believe there must be a God, a Creator – but feel it is impossible to “know” anything about him so as to achieve a relationship with him. So what happens to such people “in that day”?
Paul says that Christ “comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marvelled at among all who have believed” [v.10] And what marvelling this will be! Imagine it; it will be far beyond our present comprehension! We read on and see the profound simplicity of Paul’s next words.
“To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfil every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him …” [v.11,12]
Is this happening to us – within us? Are we surrounded by such committed believers – who strengthen each other? If we are not let us seek for this; praying about this. There is no middle way. The rest will suffer! We must really overcome the godlessness that surrounds us, we must fully realize there is no middle way.
Jesus said, “Woe to the world for temptations to sin!” [Matt 18 v.7] We can only conclude – ‘Woe to today’s world’ even on those who pay ‘lip-service’ to believing there is a God, because they make no effort to make themselves fully resist the temptations and “worthy of his calling.” Let us make sure we”know God” and his Son as fully as possible – the heart felt nature of our prayers are wonderful evidence of this.
