The word ‘faithful’ here is ‘pistos’ in Greek, which can also mean 'trustworthy, sure, truthful', from the word 'peitho', meaning 'to be sure, to have confidence'. As you can see here, the Lord isn't just your faithful God, but He is also your trustworthy, sure, truthful God. You can therefore put your trust in Him. Amen!
From this word 'pistos' here, notice that ‘to be faithful' is 'to be truthful’. He is a God who cannot lie (Titus 1:2, Hebrews 6:18). Like in a relationship with a spouse, one cannot say that he/she is faithful unless he/she is truthful. The Bible says the Lord is the 'Bridegroom' (who is the way, the truth, and the life), and you are His 'bride' (i.e. His church, His people). He is also the 'Husband', and you (i.e. His church, His people) are the 'wife' (see Ephesians 5:25).
"Look to Me. Look to My faithfulness. Even in the midst of your situation, look to Me, for I AM still your faithful God. My faithfulness towards you has never changed."
Today, He wants you to know that He IS still your faithful God, and will still be, even in the midst of your current situation (or persecution), and in this perilous end-time. Trust Him that He will show Himself faithful in every situation of yours.
Let's go back to 2 Thessalonians 3:3 now. The word ‘establish’ here is ‘sterizo’ in Greek, which means 'to steadily set you, to turn you resolutely in a certain direction, to strengthen you, to confirm you', and the word 'guard' (or 'keep' in KJV) here carries the meaning 'to watch (over) you, to preserve you, to be on guard for you'.
You may have heard much teaching about one's faithfulness towards God (and there is definitely a place for such), but today, I am writing about His faithfulness towards you, and how He is here to steadily set you and watch (over) you, no matter what happens around you in this world. Indeed, He is still our steadfast (firm, unchanging) God, even if at times we have been unfaithful to Him.
People of God, this is the time
and season to read 1 Thessalonians and
2 Thessalonians. These two books aren't just about you being faithful to Him, but also He being faithful to you (even in the midst of any situation or persecution you may be facing at the moment). In fact, these two books speak of our time now (the end-time), and therefore include instructions (like a manual) on how to live in this end-time (i.e. how to prepare for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ):
Continue to receive His love and abound in His love
'And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints' (1 Thessalonians 3:12-13).
Continue to receive His sanctification (holiness)
and be holy
'For this is the will of God, your sanctification ('hagiasmos' = holiness, purity): that you should abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God' (1 Thessalonians 4:3-5).
'For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit' (1 Thessalonians 4:7-8).
Focus on your God-given calling & God’s
vision for your life
'That you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing' (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12).
'For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner; not working at all, but are busybodies. Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread. But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good' (2 Thessalonians 3:11-13).
Be sober and
watchful/vigilant
'You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep (i.e. slumber spiritually), as others do, but let us watch and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation' (1 Thessalonians 5:5-8).
Cross-references: 1
Peter 5:8, Mark 14:38.
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing,
and give thanks in everything
'Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Holy Spirit (i.e. extinguish/put out the work of the Holy Spirit)' (1 Thessalonians 5:14-19).
One might say, "That's a whole lot of things to do! You know, easier said than done, and it isn't easy living in this world full of temptations, revenge, and hatred nowadays!"
The answer, my friend, is in the Holy Spirit. Thank God for the Holy Spirit! His Spirit is the HOLY Spirit, and His Spirit produces the fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). He is still present, and He is here to help you. Therefore, you don't have to struggle any further, if you allow Him to work in you and through you.
Philippians 2:13 says, 'For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure'. 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 says, 'Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify ('hagiazo' = to make holy, to purify) you completely, and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful ('pistos'), who will also do it'.
So, let's take Him at His Word today. His Word is truth (John 8:32), and His Word is sure (2 Thessalonians 3:3).
1 Thessalonians 2:12-13 says '...that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory. For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe'.
You see, the Word of God is effective, and it works! (for those who believe) Heaven and earth will pass away, but His words will by no means pass away (Matthew 24:35). Therefore, hang on not to the things in this world that will pass away, but hang on to the Word that will by no means pass away. Amen.
