How Can You Stand Firm Until Jesus Returns?
In contrast to those who perish because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved, 2 Thessalonians 2:13–15 says, “But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning [or as the first fruits] for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. It was for this [viz., salvation through sanctification] He called you through our Gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us.”
How Can You Stand Firm Until Jesus Returns?
First, examine everything carefully in light of Scripture.
Second, make your “calling” and conversion sure through Sanctification: 2 Peter 1:3–12 (NLT), “By His Divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know Him, the One Who called us to Himself by means of His marvelous glory and excellence. And because of His glory and excellence, He has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share His Divine Nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.
“In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises [i.e., appropriate God’s Truth]. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.
“The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins. So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away. Then God will give you a grand entrance into the Eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
Finally, rejoice in the certainty of your eternal reward when Jesus returns: v14b, “that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
“Gaining the glory of Christ” is not something you get “in addition” to your salvation and sanctification; it’s the completion of your conversion. Those who have been saved and sanctified will ultimately be “glorified:” Romans 8:30–31 (NIV84), “And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified. What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?”
Jesus will reward every believer who faithfully perseveres until He Returns: “Behold, I Am Coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done” (Revelation 22:12).
Is God calling you to salvation through the Gospel?
Romans 1:16–17, “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it [i.e., the Gospel] the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘But the righteous man shall live by faith.”” God loves you. Romans 5:8, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
Our sin separates us from God. Isaiah 59:2 (NIV84), “But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.” What can you do about the sin that separates you from God?
Repent, i.e., change your mind about your sin, yourself, and God. Turn from your sin and turn to Him through faith in Jesus Christ.
Mark 1:14–15, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the Gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand; Repent and Believe in the Gospel.”
Jesus’ offer still stands. Surrender your life to Jesus Christ today.
For more information visit: jenkinsmemorialbaptistchurch. com.
Also, if you do not attend church, we invite you to join us for Bible Study each Sunday morning at 9:30am and worship at 10:45am.
Jessie J. Charpentier is Pastor of Jenkins Memorial Baptist Church in St. Martinville.
