YOU

In the context of Paul warning the Thessalonian believers about being deceived regarding the timing of Christ’s return and then describing a period of lawlessness he now begins to thank God for them.

Here is the thing and what more and more people especially of the Christian faith should know:-

You are not here to be deceived. 

You are not here to come under a great delusion nor to suffer the judgment of it. 

You are here to experience future security with all of the blessings attached to that. 

And here is the big thing: 

YOU were in the mind of God before anything in the past so that you would be here in the present and therefore secured for what is ahead tomorrow. 

“But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Thessalonians‬ ‭2‬:‭13‬-‭14

The firstfruits. The original first idea of God. When there was nothing. In the chaos and void an idea was formed. Let me put it in the singular for greater effect. 

You. You’re still here. Older. Scarred a bit from the wounds of life. Tired maybe and struggling at times. Highs and lows of life. But still, you’re here! Because you are then you need to be reminded:-

He chose you. He still does. Before you chose Him He had already done so. In fact His choosing of you made it easier for you to choose Him. 

He loved you. He still does. It’s the motivation for all that He does in your life. 

He would save you. Incredible to think that before you breathed your first breath He had decided He would be your Saviour and He hasn’t changed His mind, your Saviour is still here. 

He would sanctify you. He still does. He was not content to just save you from the consequence of sin; the heavy burden of sin is lifted by making you holy. He sees your salvation but the world sees your sanctification. 

He would present the truth to you. He still does. The work of His Spirit through His Word giving you the opportunity to believe is there every day.

He would share His glory with you. He still does. As time goes on you become more and more like Jesus. 

And once again (he had done so at the start of this letter 1:3) Paul gave thanks to God for that original idea. And if the above applies to you then so should we all. Truly YOU was a great idea!