Gospel Judgment

Introduction:

“This is the evidence of the righteous judgment of God...” (v. 5a)

Verse 5 immediately causes and interpretational question to arise.

What is the antecedent of the word “this”?

“refers to something specific that was just mentioned.”

Paul is telling us that he is building off of what he just said in the previous verses.

These specific things Paul is referring to are pieces of evidence that God is righteous in His judgments.

They are facts or information that prove the point.

They prove that Paul’s belief in God’s righteousness is valid.

That being defined we now must ask to see the evidence.

Their steadfastness in faith amid persecution and affliction (v. 4).

Being counted worthy of the kingdom of God (v. 5,10-12).

The repayment, vengeance, and punishment of unbelievers in hell for all eternity (v. 6-9).

What is a righteous judgment?

Righteous = morally right or justifiable

Judgment = a choice or decision

Thus the point that Paul is making through the sharing of this evidence is that every decision that God has ever made has been morally right and justifiable.

Specifically here Paul is teaching that what God is doing in the lives of the Thessalonians proves His righteous judgments.

Evidence by its nature must be examined so we will examine this evidence by asking three questions.

How does steadfastness in faith amid persecution and affliction provide evidence that God is righteous in judgment? (v. 4)

2 Thessalonians 1:3–4 “We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring.”

Faith originates with God.

The book of Hebrews describes Jesus as the founder and perfecter of our faith. Hebrews 12:2 “looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Faith is produced in the heart of man by the hearing of God’s message of salvation. Romans 10:17 “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”

Persecutions and afflictions refine faith.

A trial by fire is a biblical concept.

1 Peter 4:12–13 “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.”

James 1:2–3 “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.”

Persecutions and afflictions proclaim the gospel.

The church never grows more than when it is under persecution.

This is evidence of God’s hand at work in and through His church.

God is glorified through the process.

How does being counted worthy of God’s kingdom provide evidence that God is righteous in judgment? (v. 5,10-12)

2 Thessalonians 1:5 “This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering—”

2 Thessalonians 1:10–12 “when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed. To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

We are counted worthy by being made worthy by God (v.11).

If we are imputed with the righteousness of Jesus by His blood then it is clearly a righteous judgment of God to make us worthy of His kingdom and His will.

Therein lies the heart of it all. We are not worthy by our own accord. We are made worthy by God. He both saves us and sanctifies us. We are sanctified in progress now but in perfection at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

God is glorified in and marveled at by those made worthy (v. 10, 12).

It is a righteous judgment of God to do anything and everything that brings Him more glory.

So He makes us worthy so that on that day we will glorify Him.

Why do we long for Jesus to return?

To make all things new?

To wipe away every tear?

To bring an end to every injustice?

Yes, but I warn you and me not to make those things about us. We long for Jesus to return because more than anything we want to see His glory; to marvel at it.

Those made worthy are glorified by grace (v. 12).

Grace is often defined as getting something we don’t deserve. Now if you want to talk about getting something you don’t deserve consider this, that those who God makes worthy for His kingdom will share in the glory of His Son.

2 Thessalonians 1:12 “so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Romans 8:17 “and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.”

How does the repayment, vengeance, and punishment of unbelievers in hell for all eternity provide evidence that God is righteous in judgment? (v. 6-9)

2 Thessalonians 1:6–9 “since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might,”

If God is holy, then hell is just.

Who does God send to hell?

Those who afflict.

Those who do not know God.

Those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

All sin is committed against God.

If God is loving, then hell is just.

Exactly how perfect is God’s love for Jesus?

Exactly how perfect is God’s love for those that are His?

Exactly how perfect is God’s love for the world?

This might rock your world a bit, but God sending people to hell is loving. God does not set aside His love in order to be just. Everything God does is simultaneously perfectly loving and just. Condemning those who have rejected Him is an act of love within the Trinity and an act of love for those who have born affliction, persecution and suffering at their hand.

If heaven is real, then hell is just.

People always want to ask how a loving God could send anyone to hell, but they never seem to ask how a good God could send anyone to heaven.

Hell is as bad as heaven is good.

If God is just, then His judgments are righteous.