Gospel devotions: Loving Our Loved Ones - 2 Thessalonians 2

2 Thessalonians 2:10b They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 

I have a burden in my heart for much of my family and some of my friends. The burden involves their salvation. I know that I am far from perfect and a sinner of sinners, but sometimes my fear for those I love dearly is expressed in this question: do they love the truth about Jesus, or will they perish because they don’t know Him at all?

A lot of people have what I term ‘a Sunday school notion’ about Christ. They remember His parables and miracles. They recall His birth, life, and death but they never really get to know the Living Christ in their heart, minds, and lives. I hate to think about where they will end up after death, but if they don’t do something with the knowledge that they have of Christ, they will not end up in heaven.

Some people may be thinking, ‘Hey John, that’s very judgmental of you,’ but it isn’t: it’s actually being consistent with what the Scriptures teach us. Those who seem to imagine that as long as they intend to do something about it, but don’t get round to actually believing in Christ, think that God will exempt them from His Final Judgment. That kind of thinking leads to nowhere – except to the gates of hell.

Now I don’t need to be contentious – I’ve had enough theological tussling in my days – but I do mean to be blunt and candid: are their loved ones in your life, just as there are in my own, who know of Jesus and yet they’ve never given their hearts or lives to Him? Then what are we going to do about it?

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, we have many loved ones in our lives, both kith and kin, who have not yet committed their lives to You. Grant us words and ways that will convince them to personally discover who You really are, so that they will one day experience the everlasting joys of salvation. In Your Holy Name, we earnestly pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message, or ask a question about it, please send him an email to him at pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Please also feel free to forward this message to any of your friends and family. Today’s image is an old abstract drawing of John’s called “Crossing Over,” which depicts the journey of the soul passing through the Cross of Christ to Everlasting Life. If you would like to view a larger version of this picture, please click on the following link:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/75/208654420_3eab83b2de_o.jpg