WORTHY OF THE KINGDOM

2 Thess 1:4-5 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer.

In verses preceding the lesson text, Paul commended the brotherhood of church in Thessalonica for their growing faith and their abounding love for one another. He continues his commendation to them for their faithful patience in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure. What a great tribute for the relatively new congregation of the church of Christ in Thessalonica. When addressing other churches, Paul spoke very highly of their Christian characteristics, which they demonstrated in their lives, using them as examples of righteousness in the sight of God.

Just as faith and love are commanded in the character of every Christian, so is patience. The essence of patience is long-suffering. That is, the ability to endure, and overcome, the trials one faces in life, here referred to as persecutions and tribulations, without murmuring or complaining. The Holy Scriptures tell us many things about patience. The Christian is strengthened through patience (Col. 1:11); ...the trying of your faith worketh patience (James 1:3); and we know that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: and hope maketh not ashamed (Rom. 5:3-5a). It is by patient continuance the follower of Christ obtains the glory, ...honor, and immortality (of) eternal life (Rom. 2:7).

Every child of God has the hope of eternal salvation through our Savior, Jesus Christ, and we with patience wait for it (Rom. 8:25). Prophesies of life eternal that were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope (Rom. 15:4). James gives us this parabolic analogy for the necessity of godly patience: Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh (James 5:7-8).

To hear the call of God, to forsake worldliness, and to obediently become, and remain, a child of God, is sure to bring trials and tribulations, that must be endured with long-suffering and patience. No doubt the Christians of Thessalonica suffered much persecution, that came from non-Christian Jew and Gentile neighbors they lived amongst. Jesus was severely persecuted, and He assured His apostles that they would receive the same treatment from ungodly people. Through the influence of Satan, the world is filled with men and women that hate God. And because they hate God, they also hate His Son, Jesus Christ. And because they hate Jesus, they hate His apostles and disciples. Therefore, all that are baptized into His body, and wear the Christian name, will likewise, be hated by the world (See John 15:20-23). Due to the influence of Satan and ignorance of God's word (See John 16:1-3), persecution of members of the church of Christ has existed throughout all ages, and, by inference, will exist in all ages to come.

When possible, Jesus wants His followers to flee from persecution (Matt. 10:23). However, we know that this is extremely difficult, and, in some instances, it is almost impossible to do. In 1 Corinthians 4:12, Paul, by inspiration, admonished all Christians, that when reviled, we bless, (and when) ...persecuted, we suffer it (1 Cor. 4:12). The Christians of Thessalonica, we are assured, carried out the nature of this instruction. With faithful patience they met and endured the persecutions and tribulations of the world around them without wavering. Their endurance was a token - a badge of honor, which manifested itself to the world. Even in their persecutions and tribulations, they rejoiced in wearing the name Christian, and in professing the righteous judgment of God,that would come upon the world. They realized that they would be counted worthy of the kingdom of God - they would be among the saved, at the second coming of the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Enduring the persecutions of ungodly people of the world, and the trials and tribulations that must be borne as a follower of Christ, serves to purify the soul, and give it a peaceful rest from the cares of the world. As a Christian, it is this endurance that serves as a token, which distinguishes them from the world. It is a badge of honor, which identifys one as a true and faithful follower of Christ - one worthy of the kingdom of God.