Live worthy and empowered
2 Thessalonians 1:11(NKJV) Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power,
In the opening of Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians, he shares his revelation on how their faith and love was growing in spite of persecution and encourages them that their endurance will be rewarded when Jesus comes back.
- Live worthy
From Paul’s previous letters, the spiritual wellbeing of people was always in his mind and heart, and therefore, he habitually prayed for fellow Believers. His revelation of suffering moved him to constantly pray for the Thessalonians, that they might live lifestyles that were consistent with their calling and destiny.
Romans 8:30(NKJV) Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
Ephesians 4:1(NKJV) I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called,
1 Thessalonians 4:7(NKJV) For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness.
Paul always made, what God has done for people, the foundation for his request – that they live lives in accordance with their destiny. This is the key. We don’t live worthy to obtain our salvation, but because God has given us salvation freely in Christ Jesus.
- Live empowered
A second prayer request that Paul made, is that God would empower the Thessalonians to live and work in such a manner that it would please God. A few other translations describe this more fully…
2 Thessalonians 1:11b(NIV) and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith.
2 Thessalonians 1:11b(NLT) May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do.
2 Thessalonians 1:11(MSG) Because we know that this extraordinary day is just ahead, we pray for you all the time—pray that our God will make you fit for what he’s called you to be, pray that he’ll fill your good ideas and acts of faith with his own energy so that it all amounts to something.
It is such a comforting thought that not only did God work salvation in us through Jesus, but He also gives us the power to accomplish the work He has destined for us. Out of ourselves we will always battle to do that which God has called us to do, but through His power, we are able to accomplish the great things He has destined for us.
Ephesians 3:20(NKJV) Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,
We often limit ourselves by what we think we can and can’t do. It is time that we focus on living worthy lives and pray habitually for each other instead of selfish prayers, following Paul’s example, that God would empower us all to be filled with His power and accomplish the good things.
I conclude with this: “Our prayers may be awkward. Our attempts may be feeble. But since the power of prayer is in the one who hears it and not in the one who says it, our prayers do make a difference.” –Max Lucado