September 24 2026

September 24 Thursday

2 Thessalonians 1:11-12

“A Life Worthy of His Calling”

Welcome to Pastor’s Chat. Today we finish the first chapter of 2 Thessalonians by looking at Paul's prayer for these believers in verses 11 and 12: “Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of His goodness, and the work of faith with power: That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

After talking about the glorious return of Jesus Christ, Paul brings everything back to the way we should live today. That's an important principle. Bible prophecy isn't given merely to satisfy our curiosity about the future. What we believe about tomorrow should affect the way we live today. Paul says: “Wherefore also we pray always for you.” Once again we see how important prayer was in Paul's ministry. Paul couldn't be physically present with the Thessalonians. He couldn't remove their persecution. He couldn't solve every problem they faced. But he could pray for them.

Never underestimate what God can do through your prayers for another person. Then notice what Paul prayed: “That our God would count you worthy of this calling.” Paul isn't saying we somehow earn salvation by becoming worthy. Salvation is entirely by grace. Rather, because God has called and saved us, Paul prays that our lives will become consistent with that calling. In other words: Live like who you are. If we belong to Jesus Christ, our lives should increasingly reflect Him.

Paul wrote something similar in Ephesians 4:1: “Walk worthy of the vocation wherewith you are called.” That raises a good question for each of us today. Does the way I live reflect the Christ I say I believe in? Does my attitude reflect Christ? Do my words reflect Christ? Does the way I treat my family reflect Christ? Does the way I respond when someone mistreats me reflect Christ?

Paul then prays that God would: “Fulfil all the good pleasure of His goodness, and the work of faith with power.” I especially like that phrase: “The work of faith with power.” Remember what Paul wrote back in 1 Thessalonians 1:3? He spoke about their “work of faith.” True faith produces action. We aren't saved by good works. But when we are genuinely saved, our faith should produce good works. Ephesians 2:8–9 tells us clearly that we are saved by grace through faith, “not of works.” But the very next verse says: “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works.”

God didn't save us simply so we could go to heaven someday. He saved us so He could work in us and through us today. And notice where the power comes from. Paul prays for the work of faith “with power.” We cannot live the Christian life successfully in our own strength. We need God's power. We need the Holy Spirit working in us. And then Paul gives us the ultimate purpose of it all in verse 12: “That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you.” There it is.

That is the goal of the Christian life. That Jesus might be glorified in us. Not that people would notice us. Not that people would praise us. Not that we would build a reputation for ourselves. But that when people look at our lives, somehow they would see something of Jesus. John the Baptist expressed it beautifully when he said: “He must increase, but I must decrease.” Maybe that would be a good prayer for us today:

“Lord, let Jesus be seen in me.” Let Him be seen in my words. Let Him be seen in my attitude. Let Him be seen in the way I treat people. Let Him be seen in how I handle difficulties. Let Him be seen in my home. Let Him be seen in everything I do. And Paul closes by reminding us that even this is possible only: “According to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.” We begin with grace. We continue by grace. And one day we will stand in His presence because of grace. So until Jesus comes, may we live lives worthy of His calling and seek one great purpose: That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ might be glorified in us.

Let's pray. Father, thank You for calling us to Yourself through the Gospel. Help us to live lives that are consistent with that calling. Work in us and through us by Your power. May our faith produce works that honor You, and above everything else, may the name of our Lord Jesus Christ be glorified in our lives today. We ask it in His precious name, Amen.

God bless, and may you have a wonderful, wonderful day!