2:13
So the end will come, and it is associated with lawlessness and living a lie. However, that does not mean we should be pessimistic! For Paul then goes on to say that he and his companions should always thank God for the Thessalonians. Why? Because they were loved by the Lord, and chosen by God as firstfruits. God loves us and has chosen us for a good purpose. We have been chosen, not to live a lie or to love evil, but to be saved by the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit, and belief in the truth. So we see here two things. One is a hard headed realism about what evil is like and how it works; the other is that God has chosen us for victory, for His glory to be displayed in our lives. We need to hold both perspectives. If we only have the former then we will be unduly pessimistic at best, but if we deny the former we are living in a fantasy world.
2:14
This is what we have been called to, and we were called to it through the gospel. There is no other route to a victorious life. What have we been called to? To share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Just think about that! We have been called to share in the glory of the Son of God.
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