In a recent study, I was intrigued by the Apostle Paul’s answer to a complaint from some new believers. These new believers in the city of Thessalonica were being persecuted for their faith. We do not know if this persecution took the form of things physical, economic or verbal. In any case, the believers were certain they didn’t deserve it. And they were probably correct. But the response of the Apostle was unexpected when he said, “this is the plain indication of God’s righteous judgment” (2 Thess. 1:5). How could being persecuted be categorized as something “righteous?”
As strange as Paul’s statement initially seems, it is consistent with New Testament teaching. How many of us, even today, have said (or thought) that some situation or circumstance in life is undeserved. It’s just not fair that we got hit with this sudden turn of events; or betrayal by someone close to us; or some significant economic setback; or an unwanted change in our health.
What was the Apostle saying when he communicated that this was something righteous from God? I am persuaded that what Paul told these new believers at Thessalonica was essentially the same thing that he wrote to the believers in Rome. He told them that:
“THE SPIRIT HIMSELF BEARS WITNESS WITH OUR SPIRIT THAT WE ARE THE CHILDREN OF GOD, AND IF CHILDREN, HEIRS ALSO, HEIRS OF GOD, AND FELLOW HEIRS WITH CHRIST IF INDEED WE SUFFER WITH HIM IN ORDER THAT WE MAY ALSO BE GLORIFIED WITH HIM. (Romans 8:1-17)
In these verses, two inheritances are observed. Both OT and NT teach that there are two inheritances. One inheritance is guaranteed because we are children of God. This inheritance is reserved in heaven for us; does not diminish in any way; and is guaranteed to us by the power of God (1 Pet. 1:4-5). It is absolutely secure. There is no way it can be lost or taken from us. In Romans 8, the second inheritance comes to believers “if indeed we suffer with Him.” Being a “fellow-heir” with Christ is conditioned upon the believer suffering because they are identified with Jesus. The glory that the believer receives is the sharing of His glory in the coming Messianic kingdom. The idea of faithfulness and diligence being rewarded by the Lord is found again and again in the Scriptures. In these verses in Romans 8 it is spoken of in terms of inheritance. However, there is a clear condition attached to the second inheritance; if we suffer because of our relationship with Christ. Paul uses the word “eiper” which is normally translated “if indeed” (as it is in the NASB) and points to the conditional nature of the situation.
By allowing these believers in Thessalonica to be persecuted, God could now righteously give them greater reward in the coming Messianic kingdom. We need to remember that God is holy, and out this attribute of God flows His justice when dealing with His creation. By nature, He is absolutely fair. He simply cannot give rewards to believers who have not been loyal to Him. The Lord is good and He is generous and delights in giving good gifts to His children. But like any good parent, He cannot and He will not deal with a child who has faithfully identified with Christ in this world in the same way as one who did not “take up his cross daily” and follow Jesus. Being a fellow-heir with Messiah Jesus points to the fact that these rewards will be experienced when Jesus gets His inheritance. His inheritance happens to be the entire world (see Psalm 2:6-8). When He comes back to earth in all of His glory, it is then that His inheritance will actually be obtained. This will also be the moment when His faithful children will experience their second inheritance (Luke 19:11-27).
By allowing these believers in Thessalonica to show their loyalty and faithfulness to Christ by being persecuted, the Lord God was giving them a wonderful opportunity to make their life in the coming kingdom qualitatively richer.
When we face the difficulties and trials in this life, we are being presented with the same kind of opportunity. This puts life’s painful times in a different light. It is unlikely that I will happily welcome the next trial that comes my way, but this truth does help me to have a better perspective on it. A relatively brief time of difficulty can produce something grand in the future, forever kingdom. As Paul said, “FOR MOMENTARY LIGHT AFFLICTION IS PRODUCING FOR US AN ETERNAL WEIGHT OF GLORY FAR BEYOND ALL COMPARISON” (2 Cor. 4:17). Paul was not the only writer of scripture to reveal this truth. Most believers are familiar with James 1:12 which declares that if we pass through trials successfully, we will receive the crown of life. This crown has to do with the quality of life that can be ours.
Our Savior and Lord is indeed righteous in all of His dealings with His children.