Worship in God’s Word with Pastor Verne - "Thanksgiving for the Beloved" (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14). The first section of this chapter gave attention to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (2:1). The exhortation was that we are not to be shaken or troubled in mind. The Apostle Paul presented the order of events concerning the Day of the Lord (2:3-12). Our peace and hope are based upon what actions of God and what He has done for us. These blessings and benefits drive us to give thanks to our God. Today’s verses present two specific reasons for our Christian thanksgiving. We are thankful for God’s choice (2:13) and for God’s calling (2:14). We are brethren, beloved, and believers in the Lord. This is what God has done for us! Our salvation is by God’s choice, our sanctification is by the Holy Spirit, and our security is by our belief in the truth of Jesus Christ. We are also to practice Christian thanksgiving for God’s call (2:14). This calling is by the gospel and for the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. In light that Jesus is coming again and the world will enter a time of tribulation and judgment, these are what matters most of all, the gospel and the glory of Christ. This is a pattern of how we ought to be living as well. We offer our lives as voices to speak the gospel and reflect the wondrous glory of Jesus Christ.