2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which has loved us… I. IT IS OF THE UTMOST IMPORTANCE THAT BELIEVERS SHOULD ENJOY CONSOLATION. Every commander knows that if he has not his soldiers in good heart, there may be a great many of them, and they may be well trained, but the battle is not likely to be won. This importance is seen — 1. In the very existence of the text. It is the prayer of an inspired man. 2. In the fact that Christ is called upon "Himself," without any intermediate agency, and "God, even our Father" (2 Thessalonians 3:16). 3. In that it affects the Christian's heart. It is well to have a strong hand, how else shall we labour? to have a firm tread, how else shall we stand? Yet these are secondary matters compared with a healthy heart (John 14:1). 4. Because it is needful to prevent impatience and other evils. Perhaps it was the lack of comfort which led certain of the Thessalonians to preach the immediate coming of the Lord; their impatience excited the wish, and the wish the assertion. When men lose the present comfort of plain gospel doctrines, they are apt to begin speculating (2 Thessalonians 3:5). Laziness and despondency lead many to say, "Why are His chariots so long in coming?" 5. Because it promotes fruitfulness (ver. 17). When we are not happy in the Lord we do not give ourselves heartily to His service (2 Thessalonians 3:13). II. GOSPEL CONSOLATION IS FREELY BESTOWED. 1. It is described as a gift; and nothing can be freer than a gift. We have purchased nothing; what have we to purchase it with? 2. This freeness is seen in every part of it. (1) It covers the past, "Which hath loved us." Why? The sole reply is, "Even so father, for so it seemed good in Thy sight." Shall not the bridegroom elect his own bride. (2) As for the present, "He hath given us everlasting consolation." The pardon and perfect righteousness of Christ, lie in, union to, marriage with Him is ours, assuredly as a gift; how could it be otherwise? (3) As for the future, we have "good hope through grace," in which there is not a trace of legal claim. It comes not by way of reward, but of Divine favour. 3. This freeness is shown by the persons from whom the consolation comes. The comfort of the gospel must be free since it is brought to us by Christ, and God our Father. A father does not pay wages to his children, his gifts are freely bestowed out of the love of his fatherly heart. What father expects to be paid for what he does for his sons and daughters? 4. This freeness is shown by the source of consolation — the Divine love. What can there be in me for God to love? Love is unpurchaseable. Consolation is "through grace." III. SINCE THE CONSOLATIONS OF GOD'S LOVE HAVE BEEN SO FREELY BESTOWED, THEY SHOULD LEAD US TO A LIFE OF HOLY BENEVOLENCE, We ought to be free in our giving to others, since God has been so free in His giving to us. 1. In every benevolent enterprise Christian men should take a hearty interest (ver. 17). 2. This interest should be shown in actions as well as words. In the best MSS. "work" comes before "word." Some people think that word should be everything and work nothing. These professors speak a great deal about what they will do, talk much about what others ought to do, and more about what others fail to do. 3. This should be done without pressure. No one could lay constraint upon God to bless His people; no pressure was put upon Christ to redeem them. Even so should men give to God out of an overflowing heart. (C. H. Spurgeon.) Parallel Verses KJV: Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, |
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