1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
Reflect
What a glorious past couple of weeks we’ve experienced as we wound down the Lent season with Resurrection Sunday. How profound it is to be offered salvation through the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ! This past week, we also had opportunity to consider what occurred through the Cross of Christ, including how it appeased God’s wrath.
Today we continue with a new devotional focus as we grow and learn through 1 Thessalonians. This could very well be the letter in the Bible that most speaks about the anticipation of Jesus’s return. We’ll see that prominently throughout this letter written by Paul.
In v.10 we encounter again the uncomfortable truth that the wrath of God will not be in question when Jesus returns.
God’s wrath, in agreement with all His other divine traits, including mercy and love, reveals His justice and hatred of sin. God is not needy and requiring our worship in order to stroke His ego; rather because our only true satisfaction comes by glorifying Him, He is angry when humanity rebels by trying to settle for less.
Many people have been wounded by only hearing of God’s wrath. The wrath of God is not the primary message of the Bible; however, the love and grace of God cannot truly be understood without acknowledging His wrath.
Apply
How do you live with the tension between God’s wrath and mercy?
How are you preventing yourself from embracing one at the expense of the other?
Pastor Dan
Pray
- Pray for our Prime Minister and Premier, Mayor Sohi, your MP, your MLA, and any other government officials God brings to your mind.
- Pray for our Worship Ministries Assistant, Daniel Zander.