Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, (17) comfort your hearts, and establish you in every good word and work. (3:1) Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you, (2) and that we may be delivered from unreasonable men; for not all have faith. (3) But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you from the evil one. (4) And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you. (5) Now May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ
The second letter to the Thessalonians was written by the apostle Paul. In our verses today he contrasts the power of the Lord with the impotence of the Thessalonian Christians (and us) to stand firm in persecution on their own strength. In Christ, in grace, God gave us not only a consolation under present trials but a “good hope” in the future. They — and we – have been chosen for salvation. The doctrine of election is not mentioned here for a theological debate but rather to bring God’s comfort to suffering people. The faithful have good hope because it is certain based on God’s promises and Christ’s work not on our merits or performance.
Paul is telling the new converts to Christianity that such certainty doesn’t mean that we just coast into heaven – they (we) must stand firm in trials, holding to apostolic teachings – trials are not a one time thing. Tradition/apostolic teaching means that which is handed down or handed over and rests on facts of the life, resurrection and ascension of Christ Jesus. It is witness. But tradition does not supersede the Bible. Paul is not referring to the fact that his oral teachings and his writings originated with him but that he was passing down what he received directly from the Lord. The inspired word of God is our only source of spiritual truth.
if you have chosen God you know it is because He first chose you. The execution of the plan of salvation in time is of God. The apostles were but messengers and the message they brought was God’s. It is God’s voice which proclaims the coming judgment. It is God’s voice which tells of the redemption which is in Christ Jesus. It is too natural for us to put God as far away as we can out of our minds; to keep Him forever in the background. The question we should be always asking is what do present circumstances mean in the light of eternity?