SAINTS SAVED FROM WRATH

The saints do not have to fear the day they stand before God, as Paul speaks of that time, “when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed. Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Thessalonians‬ ‭1:10-12)

There is a difference between saints and sinners. God distinguishes between those who are delivered from wrath and those who are destined for it.  As the old song says, “Oh Lord I want to be in that number, when the saints go marching in!”‬‬ So, who are the saints?  Let’s look to 2 Thessalonians 1 for answers.

They are all those in the church. Paul writes to those “in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (v.1). We are doomed if we are judged for what we do. Our deliverance is based in what Christ has done and our identification with Him and His righteousness imputed to us by faith.

The saints have experienced ”grace” and “peace” (v.2).  It is not our goodness, for we have none. It is the grace of God that brings us peace with God.

Saints are people of “faith” and “love” (v.3). If the root of salvation rests in the love of Christ and His gift received in faith, then there will be the fruit of a genuine experience with God—namely a growing faith and abounding love.

They are given grace to persevere with “patience and faith in all your tribulations that you endure,” (v.4).  We are not saved because we endure, but we endure because we are saved.

The saints have taken up the cross. “which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer” (v.5).  God makes us worthy as we die to sin and live to God.  Our sufferings at the hands of sinners are evidence of God’s righteous judgment—using evil for good in our lives now—a temporal fire of refining—and storing up wrath for the wicked who seem to get by now—an eternal fire of retribution.  The former purifies saints for heaven and the latter punishes sinners in hell.

Furthermore, saints glorify God. Twice in verses 10-12, Paul mentions Christ being “glorified” in His people. Saints have found the chief end of man, “to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.”  Therefore, we anticipate His coming in glory with delight and not dread!

I remind you that these are not qualities possessed by a select group of Christians as contrasted to your “run of the mill” bunch of believers. The saints are all those who are saved. Saints are saved sinners. Will you be in that number?