Glorious and Admired

Glorious and Admired

“In flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed.” 2 Thess. 1:8-10.

Those who believe and are obedient to Jesus’ gospel will also receive its power and glory into their lives, and when Jesus comes again, He will prove how glorious and admirable these saints actually are. We have no more glory in our lives than the words of God we believe and obey. But this is true glory, a radiant and everlasting glory!

God’s Word says, “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thess. 5:18. If we believe this Word and are obedient to it, it will revolutionize our entire life and fill it with blessings and glory. We will be lifted up from the deep swamp of murmuring and complaining to a high and holy, solid rock where thankfulness and peace reign in all of life’s circumstances.

“Be anxious for nothing . . . .” Phil. 4:6. This is a Word of God that is urgently addressed to us by Jesus and the apostles with the assurance that we will never be put to shame if we fully trust in it. Yes, blessed are those who take this Word of God to heart and are faithful and obedient to it. They will be spared endless pain and torment. They will be raised up from the deep darkness of despair, melancholy, and despondency to glorious liberty and joy where they see infinite light and a blessed future in Christ Jesus before them.

“And raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He mighty show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” Eph. 2:6-7. Yes, in this exalted position in Christ we have no reason to be anxious for the future. It has been eternally assured and surrounded by His exceeding kindness and care in all of life’s situations. “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Ps. 23. This is what our future looks like.

Why sit in a hole of despondency and despair and view everything from a dark perspective when we can be liberated and raised up in Christ! When Jesus lifts His mighty and helping hand to raise us up, we are truly foolish if we do not accept His offer. With Jesus has come a blessed time when all those who want to can have it good. His holy name be praised!

Man was separated from God because of his disobedience, and the deep darkness of that curse has spread over the earth. Satan operates in this darkness, together with all his evil spirits, and torments mankind in every possible way. If we want him to stop tormenting us, we will have to come to the light with our entire life and establish a firm and sincere relationship of obedience to Christ. “And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him . . . .” Heb. 5:9. Salvation, liberation, blessing, and glory will be ours through obedience.

“And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.” Acts 5:32. He gives His Spirit to those who obey Him. If we, in faith and confidence toward His grace and power, give ourselves wholly to be obedient to the Word, so that we begin to thank God for all things regardless of how we feel and see things, the Spirit of thanksgiving and thankfulness will fill our hearts, and it will never be bondage to us to praise the Lord. Then the Spirit of truth, humility, righteousness, and mercy will fill our hearts and become an indwelling and impelling power in everything we say and do. No one can keep God’s Spirit if he is disobedient.

Obedience without faith cannot be sustained; therefore it must always be united with a firm and living faith. Paul had received apostleship for the obedience of faith among the Gentiles to the glory of His name. Rom. 1:5.

Christ will come with flaming fire to all those who have not been obedient to His gospel, but He will be glorified and admired in His saints who have believed, and have been obedient. May we be among them. They are also to be glorious and admired now, in all their conduct in this life.