2 Thessalonians 2
There are several scenes in the Chronicles of Narnia where people are
confronted by Aslan, the representation of Jesus in the books, because they had
done something wrong (a.k.a. sinned).
The people always feel shame, and sometimes ask, “But what about that person and what they did?” To which Aslan replies that it is not for one
person to hear about another’s guilt.
Once he answered, “Child, I was telling you your story.”
It is good and right for us to be
concerned for others in regard to their sin.
Sin damages us, hardening and darkening our hearts. To take the stance that what other people do
doesn’t matter, “I’ll just look after myself,” is utterly unbiblical. On the other hand, being hypocritically judgmental
is also unbiblical. We’re talking about
having compassion on another person and wanting what God says is best for them,
not condemning them. This certainly
requires us to “get
the log out” of our own eyes!
Sometimes people come at this concern
for others from a different route.
Concerned about the salvation of others, they ask, “What about those who
never had a chance to hear about Jesus?
His death? His resurrection? What happens to them?” (These questions can be truly problematic
when one doubts that God is good and desires to send such people to hell.)
Paul’s words to the Thessalonians are
helpful here. “But we ought always to
give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you
as the first fruits to be saved ….” He
mentions those who are deluded in false belief, but then say, we give thanks
that God saved you. There is a sense here of Aslan’s comment, “Child,
I was telling you your story.”
God is good and He is perfectly capable
of saving all those who will believe in Jesus.
Count on that and thank Him that you are among those have been saved. In the meantime, we don’t know who are among
those who will refuse “to love the truth,” so share the hope in Jesus you are
so thankful for wherever you can; they just might believe!
Jesus, thank You for saving me and giving me
Your Holy Spirit. Help me to share the
hope I have in You with others to the Father’s glory. Amen.
Comments