2 Thessalonians 2:14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. I. THE GOSPEL CALL. What is that? It is the invitation of Divine mercy to accept the blessings of salvation. 1. The call is one of sovereign mercy. Mercy for mercy's sake. God was under no obligation to show mercy. The act is of His rich grace, and of that only. 2. It is most free and open. Not clogged by difficulties. "Ho everyone," etc. "Come unto Me," etc. "If any man thirst, let him come," etc. The message is to the world — to every creature. 3. It is most earnest and pressing. The ministers who bring it are to invite, persuade, beseech, compel men to be reconciled to God. There is not the shadow of a doubt respecting God's sincerity. II. THE WAY IN WHICH THE CALL IS TO BE MADE SURE. 1. It must be heard. "How can they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?" "O earth! earth I hear the Word of the Lord." "If any man hath ears, let him hear." "Hear, and your soul shall live." 2. It must be understood. The truth as it is in Jesus must be comprehended. 3. It must be believed. Truth only realizes the call. Matthew believed; Saul believed; the Samaritans believed. Thus the pardon of sin, the acceptance of the person, and every blessing for time is obtained. 4. It must be retained. The profession of faith must be held fast. "Abide in Me," says Christ. So we must continue Christ's disciples to the end. III. THE PROVISION MADE TO RENDER THE CALL SURE. 1. The Holy Spirit attends Divine truth. "My speech and my preaching," said St. Paul to the Corinthians, "was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power; that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God." 2. The Holy Spirit is specially given when the call is accepted. So it came to pass on the Day of Pentecost. When the three thousand, pricked in their heart by the simple truth declared unto them by the burning earnestness of Peter, cried to him and the rest of the apostles, "What shall we do?" he said unto them, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of the Lord Jesus for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." They did as they were told, and received the Divine gift of the Divine Spirit. And so it comes to pass now in the experience of all penitent believers. 3. All the blessings and privileges of the gospel follow its acceptance. Such, for example, as justification (Romans 5:1); sonship (John 1:12); sanctification (1 Thessalonians 5:23); everlasting life (John 3:16); heaven, or "the obtaining of the glory, of our Lord Jesus Christ." (John 17:22, 24). Application: (1) To us the gracious call has come; (2) it may be accepted now; (3) All who receive it will be made happy and safe forever; (4) and all who reject it by their unbelief and disobedience will be condemned by it forever. (J. Burns, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. |
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