30TH NOVEMBER
2 Thessalonians 1:9-10
They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marvelled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed.
This punishment and destruction is not God’s desire for these people.
He loves the world so much that he has sent his only Son into the world. As Jesus said, “God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him” (John 3:17). Nevertheless, if people choose to ignore God, then they will face his judgment. This truth is not pleasant, but it is still truth and we are foolish to ignore it as if that will make it not be real.
Who has God sent into your life that does not know him? Unless they encounter Christ, they are destined to suffer the punishment of eternal destruction.
Still, because of his love, God has sent you into the lives of those people to be his messenger. You’ve been entrusted with the good news of the Saviour.
When you put the reality of eternal judgment together with God’s desire to forgive and rescue people from that judgment, you are left with a driving motivation to share Christ with people. As Paul put it in 2 Corinthians 5:14, “For the love of Christ compells us…” (NIV)
MAKE IT PERSONAL:
What does the love of Christ compel you to do? Fight for social justice? Pray for the sick? Preach? Lead worship?