The Lord is Faithful, Are You? #1432

3 But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. 4 And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you. (2 Thessalonians 3:3–4, NKJV)

Christians are urged to never doubt the faithfulness of the Lord. “For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you’” (Hebrews 13:5). The Lord is always present to strengthen and preserve us from the devil and secure us in times of trial. However, this does not free us from our personal responsibility to watchfully “resist the devil” so that he will flee from us (James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8). As verse 4 of today’s passage indicates, it is as we obey the commands of Christ’s apostles that our assurance of His strength and protection is realized. Standing fast in the Lord is inseparably connected to holding to the truth handed down to us by the apostles (2 Thessalonians 2:15). It is precisely when we choose not to hold fast this pattern of sounds words that we falter and give the devil an opening to settle into our hearts, much like he did in the life of Judas (2 Timothy 1:13; John 13:2, 27). Although Judas was with Jesus, he fell because he chose defiance and betrayal over trusting obedience to Jesus. Put all your trust in Jesus by obeying His commands. The Lord is faithful to secure you, and all who do so.

The Lord is Faithful #446

3  But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. 4  And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you. 5  Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ. (2 Thessalonians 3:3-5)

Christians are secure in heart and able to endure present trials and live for heaven because the Lord is faithful. Here the apostle explains that the Lord strengthens and protects His disciples from evil as they “do and will do the things we command you” (v. 4). There is no expectation of divine resolution to strengthen and protect the Christian who is given to disobedience (the “disorderly” of verse 6). Let us not fight against the apostolic commands. By continually obeying them the Lord will direct you into God’s love and the steadfast endurance which gives eternal comfort.  The Lord is faithful. The probing question is, are we?