On the surface, it may sometimes seem that God is unjust. He allows righteous people, that is the followers of Christ, to suffer persecution. The Apostle Paul, however assures us that God is just. The time is coming when Christ will return and God will take vengeance on, and destroy, all those who trouble Christians. While persecutors will be destroyed, Christ’s followers will be exalted. In chapter 1, verses 10 through 12 of his second inspired letter to the followers of Christ at Thessalonica, Paul writes that this will take place, “when he comes to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired among all those who have believed (because our testimony to you was believed) in that day. To this end we also pray always for you, that our God may count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire of goodness and work of faith, with power; that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Paul writes that upon Christ’s return, He will be glorified in His holy people. This means that Christ’s followers will give Him the glory and honor which are due Him. There are many who are willing to acknowledge that Jesus was a good man or even a prophet, but they are not willing to acknowledge His true position. They deny that He is the Savior, the Lord and God’s Son. It is only Christ’s followers who acknowledge Him for who He truly is.
There is another sense in which Christ’s followers give Him glory. His people are holy. God has not only made them holy by taking away their sins, the way they live also demonstrates holiness. Scripture says, “but just as he who called you is holy, you yourselves also be holy in all of your behavior;” (1 Peter 1:15) Following Christ means much more than acknowledging who He is. It also means thinking and acting as Christ would. In other words, Christ’s followers should become like Christ. We should all ask ourselves whether our thoughts and actions bring glory to Jesus or disgrace.
Not only will Jesus be glorified in His people, they will also admire (NIV, marvel at) Him. Though we read about Christ and His exalted position, the reality is beyond our imagination. Christians live in the hope that one day they will have the privilege of seeing Jesus as He really is. The Apostle John writes, “Beloved, now we are children of God, and it is not yet revealed what we will be. But we know that, when he is revealed, we will be like him; for we will see him just as he is. Everyone who has this hope set on him purifies himself, even as he is pure.” (1 John 3:2-3)
The people to whom Paul was writing could look forward to Christ’s return with anticipation because they had believed Paul’s testimony. Some people claim to honor Christ, yet reject the testimony and teaching of the Apostles. In reality, however, the gospel of Christ and the teaching of the Apostles is one and the same. It is through the Apostles that we learn about Christ. To reject the Apostle’s teaching is to reject the gospel as well.
In view of Christ’s return, Paul prays three specific things for the followers of Christ at Thessalonica. The first is that God would count them worthy of His calling. In verse 5, Paul had already written that their faithfulness to Christ in spite of persecution was proof that God will count them worthy of His kingdom. Why, then, does Paul continue to pray that they will be counted worthy? The reason is that faith is not something which is demonstrated only once. Those whom God will count worthy live by faith every day. It is entirely possible to become a follower of Christ and even suffer for Him and, later, to turn away. To another group Paul wrote, “You were running well! Who interfered with you that you should not obey the truth? This persuasion is not from him who calls you” (Galatians 5:7-8)
What is this calling which Paul mentions? In short, God calls us to become like Christ. Scripture says, “We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose. For whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.” (Romans 8:28-29)
The second thing Paul prayed for the followers of Christ in Thessalonica is that God would fulfill every desire of goodness. If we are trying to become like Christ, then all our desires should be pure. Why pray about them, then? To make sure that our desires are according to God’s will and His timing.
Paul also prayed that God would fulfill every act prompted by faith. One lesson we can learn from this is that faith always prompts action. If what we believe does not prompt us to act then, in reality, we do not believe. Another lesson is that even when we are prompted to act it is God who makes it possible. Scripture says, “For it is God who works in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13)
Paul’s purpose in praying was not only that the Christians at Thessalonica might benefit, but that Christ’s name might be glorified. He wanted their ‘good desires’ and ‘acts of faith’ fulfilled because this would bring glory to Christ. This should be our intention as well: To glorify Christ in everything we do.
Christ not only receives glory from His followers, He also allows them to share in His own glory. In one sense, they participate in Christ’s glory in this life. In one of His prayers, Jesus said this concerning his disciples, “The glory which you have given me, I have given to them…” (John 17:22) Whatever the world may think about the followers of Christ, in God’s sight they are glorious. Christ will glorify them even more at His return.
Paul also reminds us that Christ’s followers are not given glory because of their actions or because they are worthy in and of themselves. On the contrary, they are made worthy; their actions are accepted; they are glorified by God’s grace. If we want this grace, then we must follow Christ.