Firstfruits to be Saved

But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word. 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17

We, who have brought you Thessalonians the gospel and nurtured you in the faith are obligated to give thanks for you, who are beloved of the Lord.  These “firstfruits to be saved” were chosen IN CHRIST from the beginning. Christianity was not an afterthought in the plan of our omniscient God. He always knew exactly how history would play out. He always knew every decision of every angel or human who would ever live, and He has made perfect provision for the eternal salvation of everyone who would hear and believe the gospel of His Son. Chosen Ones. IN CHRIST. The Church had to start somewhere, and we now know it started in Jerusalem and in these nations around Palestine, immediately after the resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ. That would be a real honor, to be among the first to receive the gospel and become members of the Body of Christ. Paul saw it as an honor, and was publicly thankful for these converts he had “birthed” for Jesus.

Salvation is a two-fold process: God provided the sanctification (setting apart unto God) through the Holy Spirit, but this truth does not benefit man until and unless it is received by the personal faith of the individual. Here’s the truth: God has made eternal life available to me, at no cost to myself. Indeed, I could not pay for it, having nothing with which to pay. If I see that truth and acknowledge it, but do not avail myself of it, I’m still a lost sinner. Walking away from the gift forfeits the gift.

If, however, I see the truth and gratefully receive it by faith in the finished work of Christ, then the sanctification is mine. I have claimed the eternal life of Jesus Christ Himself, and am In His Body forever. That gift now belongs to me! Just because I am willing to receive it. Please notice the term “receive,” in regard to the individual’s responsibility. We are born sinners. Destitute. We have NOTHING to give. Salvation can never, ever be earned. It must simply be received. That is honoring to the One who provided it. To reject the free gift and try to earn eternal life, or try to prove our own worthiness apart from grace is a direct insult to God the Father, Who planned our salvation; to God the Son Who did all the work to purchase our salvation; and to God the Holy Spirit, Who draws us to Jesus and reveals the truth about our salvation.

The Thessalonian saints, and we, were called through “our,” (Paul’s ) gospel. Remember, there were and are “other gospels” being preached, which conflict with these basic truths that Paul had taught. It is by the study of and adherence to Paul’s gospel that the believers would mature into the knowledge of God’s essence (glory) and steadfastness in the faith. If Paul taught it face-to-face, or if he wrote it to the Church, THAT is the standard for teaching and learning the gospel. Don’t waste your time examining the teachings that are false, or questionable.

The New Testament gospels show us Jesus and His atonement. That is God’s message to mankind. The New Testament epistles form Christian Doctrine. That is God’s standard for the Church. Learn the authentic Word and stick with it. Satan has been trying to counterfeit God’s Plan since the beginning of time. He’s actually pretty good at deceiving some into believing their good works are more moral than God’s grace. Only those of us who stick to the Bible as the only standard will know when the presentation is false. Human emotion cannot judge anything. Human viewpoint is based on emotion. God’s Word is divine viewpoint, and the only one that counts.

God knows all about our circumstances. He, Himself gives us divine confidence through His perfect Word of Truth. He, Himself provides our stability through the loving grace of Jesus Christ and the comforting guidance of the Holy Spirit.

There is no situation for which He has not prepared us and through which He will not guide us. God’s Word and God’s Work are interrelated. The study of the Word leads to the Work of the Lord. We don’t have to wonder what our calling is, brethren. Be prayed up and studied up in God’s Word. He’ll bring in the souls to be harvested. Just keep steadfast and speak the truth you know.