“But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil” (2 Thessalonians 3:3).
Introduction
Here Paul writes a word of encouragement about the faithfulness of God. Though not “for all men have not faith” (2 Thessalonians 3:2), our God is eternally faithful and can be trusted to lead and guide us in truth. “Men may be unbelievers, and hostile, but the Lord is faithful to every promise, and in spite of evil men will keep us from evil” (The People’s New Testament Commentary).
God is faithful to stablish us
This means that there is never an end to His faithfulness towards those who are saved through the blood of Christ. “God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:9). The word “stablish” can be translated as “strengthen”, therefore God can enable us to stand strong in the faith regardless of what suffering and persecution might come our way. “Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator” (1 Peter 4:19). One of the greatest expressions of praise to the faithfulness of God comes from the mouth of the prophet Jeremiah, “It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him” (Lamentations 3:22-24), and is matched by David when he sang, “Thy mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds” (Psalm 36:5).
God is faithful to keep us
The Lord will keep us from the evil plans, schemes and snares of Satan no matter how they may manifest themselves. There are many things in this world that could rob us of our relationship to and our trust in Christ, but no matter how often the devil may attack, God provides us with the power to be victorious over them all. “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13). This evil must include the sin that so often invades our lives and brings us into condemnation. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). “The evil of sin is the greatest evil, but there are other evils we need to be preserved from, and we have encouragement to depend upon the grace of God” (Matthew Henry).
God remains faithful with all He has a covenant relationship with. “Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations” (Deuteronomy 7:9). This means that He is committed to keeping the promises He has made to us. “But as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay” (2 Corinthians 1:18) … “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised) (Hebrews 10:23). Once again, it is all to do with Christ’s finished work on the cross rather than anything worthy in ourselves. “For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us” (2 Corinthians 1:20). If it were not for this attribute, how could we be sure that God would not change His mind and damn our souls? Along with Paul, we can confess, “For I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day” (2 Timothy 1:12). The Lord Jesus’ words concerning His disciples can just as well be applied to all who faithfully follow Him, “While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled” (John 17:12). And so we ought to place our faith in the one who is called “Faithful and true” (Revelation 3:14 see also 19:11 and 22:6)?
Conclusion
Our God is not just a God who saves, but He also protects, keeps and guards us as we live in this world. Satan, our “adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8), but we can never be defeated while we trust in the Lord. “By this I know that thou favourest me, because mine enemy doth not triumph over me” (Psalm 41:11). “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen” (Matthew 6:13).
“Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and for ever. Amen” (Jude :24-25).
© 4/12/2008