The Presumptuous Security of Sloppy Salvation

2 Thes. 2:13-15 [show] [13]But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. [14]To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. [15]So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter. (ESV)
; 2 Thes 3:6-15 [show] [6]Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. [7]For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, [8]nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. [9]It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. [10]For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. [11]For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. [12]Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. [13]As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good. [14]If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. [15]Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother. (ESV)

• what’s on your agenda today (or any day, really)? Is your ultimate goal to glorify God? (1 Cor 10 [show] For I want you to know, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, [2]and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, [3]and all ate the same spiritual food, [4]and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. [5]Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness. [6]Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did. [7]Do not be idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, "The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play." [8]We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. [9]We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents, [10]nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer. [11]Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. [12]Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. [13]No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. [14]Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. [15]I speak as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. [16]The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? [17]Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread. [18]Consider the people of Israel: are not those who eat the sacrifices participants in the altar? [19]What do I imply then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? [20]No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons. [21]You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. [22]Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he? [23]"All things are lawful," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful," but not all things build up. [24]Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor. [25]Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience. [26]For "the earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof." [27]If one of the unbelievers invites you to dinner and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience. [28]But if someone says to you, "This has been offered in sacrifice," then do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for the sake of conscience-- [29]I do not mean your conscience, but his. For why should my liberty be determined by someone else's conscience? [30]If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks? [31]So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. [32]Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, [33]just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved. (ESV)
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• these last letters are directed to tackle issue of those abusing the big hope; abusing salvation, cheapening the grace given

Clarifying the BIG HOPE of our salvation

1. Resting presumptuously on “escape” is a completely different gospel from The Gospel (2:13)
   • purpose of salvation is not to just lift us up from this world into Heaven
     • if it was all the Christians should already be up there

   the purpose of salvation consists of significantly more than escape/deliverance form the coming wrath — it anticipates so loving the truth that its attendant believing acceptance plays out in  a particular lifestyle, a living out of all the call into Christ’s family entails – including many trials!

   • the content of the “sanctifying work of the spirit” is whatever it takes for the Holy Spirit to make your external/internal world increase your spiritually excellent usefulness in this present life and for life to come
     • Matt 3:7 [show] [7]But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? (ESV)
       ; reality of salvation is not “BAM! TICKET TO HEAVEN LETS GO SIN!” (Pharisee type of salvation)
     • John 2:19 [show] [19]Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." (ESV)
       ; if they belonged, they would have remained
       • personal thought: This is so very hurtful to say to someone who is wavering in their faith…
   • salvation Paul speaks of first saves us from sin and self BEFORE we meet Jesus face to face
   • This is how you were saved; you were chosen (2:13)
     • not to escape trials and tribulations but so you can live in it
     • God set you apart and set you up to believe
2. Resting presumptuously on sloppy salvation IS RECKLESS
   • He chose you to believe in the Truth

   From our human perspective, we are not meant to see the hope of our salvation secure in the Divine choice in eternity past to save us but rather in the real time, ongoing action of “belief in the truth” -hearing God’s call to welcome the truth and living it daily. It was that action that effected saving faith and that action that secures the genuineness of Christian life

   • Our calling (choosing) is only as legit as our believing; our believing is only as legit as our living (Matt 7:21 [show] [21]"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. (ESV)
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   • Mk 7:6-9 [show] [6]And he said to them, "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, "'This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; [7]in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.' [8]You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men." [9]And he said to them, "You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition! (ESV)
     ; in Thes, Paul shows contrasts between of those who welcome or reject Truth
   • Christian freedom is freedom from doing what I want/used to want, so I can do what Christ wants
     • Spiritual Rights Activism – load of BS, how we can try to justify that we can live in the flesh and simply bank on salvation
       • freedom does not mean this!
       • freedom does not mean believing in and accepting salvation only to return to fulfilling personal desires
3. Becoming complacent spiritually or idle is contrary to commands of Christ
   • The reward of salvation is full future participation in the glory of Christ secured now through a robust spirituality (2 Thes 2:14 [show] [14]To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. (ESV)
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   • This is why you were called…not just “escape” but to give glory
   • Robust spirituality…
     1. distances itself from freeloaders and spiritual slackers who just live for escape (v6, 14)
        • freeloading is very easy for someone who wants to abuse, cheapen and take advantage ie. “You have to blindly love and accept me because Jesus says so.”
        • WHY distant self? because they make Jesus look bad
     2. works hard and doesn’t exercise all rights and benefits; necessarily grabbing every possible crumb to which it might be entitled (v 7-9)
        • if you err extremely in life…err in working hard
        • just because you are entitled to something doesn’t mean you have to fight and nitpick for all of it
     3. doesn’t aid and abet sloppy laziness by giving charity to people who won’t work (v 10)
        • notice it says “WON’T WORK” not “can’t”; absolute UNWILLINGNESS to work
        • idleness leads to being a busybody; we are made to be busy…being idle in faihth/Christ leads to being busy in other things and other’s business
          • ie. busy disrupting the church, busy pursuing self-glorifying things
     4. never tires of doing what is right (v13)

Conclusion: We need robust spirituality so that…

• outsiders will clearly see the distinctiveness of genuine passion about Jesus’ glory now and the fullness to come
• so-called insiders/believers will either be shamed to repentance or exposed as fakes
• salvation is based on fact you LIVE YOUR FAITH
• reward of salvation is being like Jesus