Deeper Reflection
PAUL’S TWO THANKSGIVINGS TO GOD IN 2 THESSALONIANS – “We ought always to give thanks to God for you” (v.3), and “we should always give thanks to God for you” (2 Thess 2:13) – frame his pastoral word to the Thessalonians in their two major discipleship challenges, even the two major battlefronts in spiritual warfare: affliction (2 Thess 1:3-10) and deception (2 Thess 2:1-14). Paul gives thanks to God in the heat of spiritual warfare. Mark Paul’s emphatic “we should always”.We give thanks to God for our perseverance in God in enduring affliction: “for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring”, which is part of the Thessalonians’ abundant growth in love and faith (2 Thess 1:3-4). We have an active part to play in perseverance, as “your steadfastness and faith” indicates. However, ultimately, it is the divine power at work in us: “being strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience” (Col 1:11). Recognise how gloriously mighty is that divine power working in us! So, in and for our perseverance we give thanks to God.We give thanks to God for the assurance in God in encountering deception: “God chose you” and “God called you” (2 Thess 2:13, 14). Being chosen and called by God, we are assuredly protected against the end times great deception. But still we must be vigilant: “Let no one deceive you” (2 Thess 2:3).Thanksgiving to God is worshipful acknowledgment of His sovereignty over everything. In thanksgiving to God, we stand in security and victory in His sovereignty.