Truth and Reality of Life

"For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe. For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans, who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they do not please God and are contrary to all men, forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved, so as always to fill up the measure of their sins; but wrath has come upon them to the uttermost. 1 Thessalonians 2:13-16 NKJV

This is a marvelous description of truth and reality for Christians what was really going on in their lives since they received the Lord Jesus Christ, the conversion. They welcomed and received the word of God not as the word of men but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in them who believe. Effectiveness! The gospel of God never comes in vain but works effectively in the lives of genuine believers.

What does it mean? Well, Paul tells us that the first century Christians in Thessalonica became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. What had happened to the churches [saints] of God in Judea? They were persecuted and oppressed by their countrymen who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets. This is remarkable. Why did His own people kill the Lord Jesus and their own prophets? By doing so, they thought that they would please God. But they did not please God and were contrary to all men, forbidding Paul, Silas, and Timothy to speak to the Gentiles.

Notice Paul's attitude toward the people who were persecuting both the Lord Jesus and them. Is he angry or upset at them? No, no. He plainly reveals the truth that they are always filling up the measure of their sins. The next statement is the most remarkable one. The wrath of God has come upon them to the uttermost. That's the reality and truth. That's what is really going on in heavenly places. We Christians do not need to be upset or angry against those who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets. It's because God is just and righteous that He knows how to handle them. Notice the present tense in that statement! It's happening now and no one can escape His wrath no matter how hard they're trying to pretend to be okay.

"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them." (Romans 1:18-19 NKJV) Our God is a realist!