“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 ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12).
Introduction
Paul’s prayer relates to the issues raised in the previous verses of this chapter, and especially because of the increased persecution the believers were suffering. Notice that there is nothing in his prayer about the persecution and suffering coming to an end or that their lives would be easy and prosperous. He is basically enlarging on what he said in verse 5, “Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer.” The prayer also reminds them that there is a divine plan and an eternal outcome of what they were enduring.
Worthy of the calling
The only way to be counted worthy of the calling is to “walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory” (1 Thessalonians 2:12). This means that they must live up to what they believed to be true and never compromise with the world or false religion. This has been the temptation of many who have suffered for the cause of Christ, but the records only remember those who stood firm in the Lord. The bottom line of the Christian’s life and faith is being counted worthy and faithful at the judgement. It is not what the world thinks of us here, but what God will think of us then.
Good pleasure of God’s goodness
This is similar to the thoughts as expressed in 1 Thessalonians 2:4 and 5:23, “But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts … And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Paul is referring to a life that is pleasing to God through obedience to the truth. “Which is no less than perfect holiness” (John Wesley).
Work of faith with power
“Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father” (1 Thessalonians 1:3). Paul prays that they would continue as they had begun. He has commended them for their faith, “Your faith groweth exceedingly” (2 Thessalonians 1:3), and now he prays that it will grow in power. The work of faith is faith in action. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). The power to live the Christian life despite all kinds of hindrances is itself the work of God in us. “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us” (Ephesians 3:20).
The glory and grace of Christ
We live for the glory of God rather than our own. It is solely by His grace that we have received salvation. “Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:5-9) … “That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life” (Titus 3:7). Only a life lived in the favour of God will bring glory to Christ on the last day.
Conclusion
How would we cope if we were persecuted and had the very real possibility of being put to death for the cause of Christ hanging over us? Like the Christians Paul wrote to, we would be delighted to learn that someone was praying for us. The news that Paul was remembering them in prayer must have blessed the believers in Thessalonica. It must have encouraged them as he spoke of their endurance in the face of severe persecution. “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:7).
© 9/10/2008