What does it mean to say that "God's judgement has been proved right"? This is extremely important and goes to the heart of what the gospel is all about. We too often think (and all too often live as if this were so) that the gospel is all about being forgiven. It isn't! Forgiveness is, of course, absolutely essential, but it is not the end, rather it is the means to the end. The end is that we become like Christ (1 John 3:2, Rom 8:29). In order to even start on the road we need to be forgiven for all our sins and sinfulness, but we also need to be transformed, to be sanctified. People accuse God of being unjust in "letting people off", as they see it. But the permanent and ongoing change in the Thessalonians is proof that God knows what He is doing.
Moreover, we will be counted worthy. Now this in no way means that we have earned the right "to go to heaven", but it does mean that it will be seen that it is the right place for us to be! The kingdom of God is where we belong. Why will this be so? For two reasons. One, the blood of Jesus has fully paid the price for our sins, on the cross He fully satisfied the righteous wrath of God. Secondly, through the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives we are being transformed into a Christlike people. This work will only be completed on the last day, but it has already started and is already taking effect in our lives.
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