2 Thessalonians 2:13-17 But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brothers beloved of the Lord… A godly English minister of two hundred years ago, the Rev. Thomas Doolittle, used to "catechise" his congregation, more especially the young people, every Lord's Day. An incident that melted his hearers on one occasion is thus related. The question was on "effectual calling," and to bring it more closely home to them he suggested that they should recite the answer, changing the word us to me, and our to my. No one had the courage to begin, till a young man well known as one who had led a bad life arose, and with every sign of contrition repeated, amid the tears of the congregation: "Effectual calling is the work of God's Spirit, whereby convincing me of my sin and misery, enlightening my mind in the knowledge of Christ, and renewing my will, He did persuade and enable me to embrace Jesus Christ freely offered to me in the gospel." This young man had been convicted by being catechised — think of such a thing happening in these days of looser religious discipline! band from being a wicked and ignorant youth he had become an intelligent Christian. Parallel Verses KJV: But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: |
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