2 Thessalonians 2:7-12 (NRSV)
Refusal to love the truth
For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work, but only until the one who now restrains it is removed. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will destroy with the breath of his mouth, annihilating him by the manifestation of his coming. The coming of the lawless one is apparent in the working of Satan, who uses all power, signs, lying wonders, and every kind of wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion, leading them to believe what is false, so that all who have not believed the truth but took pleasure in unrighteousness will be condemned.
For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work, but only until the one who now restrains it is removed. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will destroy with the breath of his mouth, annihilating him by the manifestation of his coming. The coming of the lawless one is apparent in the working of Satan, who uses all power, signs, lying wonders, and every kind of wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion, leading them to believe what is false, so that all who have not believed the truth but took pleasure in unrighteousness will be condemned.
Reflection
Well, that was weird! The point I'm getting is, to not refuse to love the truth and to be saved. Otherwise it all goes pretty weird.
There's too many reason why we should believe in God sending Jesus as flesh into our world to save us. If you buy the evidence of the story throughout time, even if some of it was seen through the lenses of love and faith, in the least, you come forth with a book that people wrote throughout time, describing their struggle with faith and love of a God that comes to the rescue. Then if you open this book, the Bible, you will begin to repeatedly witness examples of how God saves his people even in their sin.
As you dig deeper through the Bible, sometimes perhaps on the third or fourth pass, you start to understand how some of what is written applies to your life and this book of faith becomes alive in the here and now in your life.
And then you listen to the Word spoken and this message of truth, faith, love and hope keeps coming. You look around and see this Word present in the Sacraments of Holy Communion. You see the Father, Son and Spirit spring to life in a new child of God in Baptism. God has chosen to be combined with earthly elements so that we can relate. All out of truth, faith, love and Word.
Maybe you ponder all of this and you decide to buy it. You declare your faith in the presence of the people and realize your salvation. You continue to grow and notice the gifts God is developing in you. You hear your call in your occupation or to and occupation to follow Jesus. You live this life of salvation, truth, hope and love in honor and praise to what Jesus has already done for you.
Why refuse salvation, truth, hope, love and the Word? Why? Anything else seems to get pretty weird, doesn't it? Thanks be to God!
Prayer
Lord, open my eyes and the eyes of all, that we may see your truth, your hope, your salvation, your love and your Word and follow obediently and faithfully the path you have laid for us... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen
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