2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 – Be a vessel for God’s glory

Recognizing that God is the one who would evaluate believers, and whether believers would be counted worthy to be God’s vessel, is entirely His prerogative. He alone has the right and capacity to determine that. Therefore, Paul never took God for granted. He knew that a complete reliance on God was inevitable to experience a sustained progress for Him. So he told the Thessalonians that he was continuing his prayer for them. Here we see two things he prayed for them.

Firstly, he prayed that in God’s evaluation of the Thessalonians, that He might count them worthy of their calling. This suggests to us that how Christians live their lives must be consistent with their belief. Our belief in God would then enable us to live out practical holiness in our lives. This Paul knew could only be accomplished by God’s power. Therefore, he prayed for God to enable them so that they would be deemed worthy of God’s Kingdom.

Secondly, he prayed that God by His power would grant them the desire for every good work. Realizing that they not only needed desire, but also the strength to carry out their desire, so his prayer included asking God to help them put action into their desire. Only as they act would the work of faith be produced. Paul knew that the inward desire for goodness must be accompanied by the outward action of faith. So this prayer was for both their desire and action to be congruous.

Verse 12 also reveals the purpose of his prayer for them. His purpose was so that the name of the Lord Jesus Christ might be glorified in them and that they also would be glorified in Christ. What does it mean? Paul meant that believers, who live lives demonstrating the attitude of goodness and work of faith, would be reflecting Christlikeness. This would honor and glorify His name. When that happened, they would become vessels where the image of Christ would be made manifest.

When we begin to live Christ-like lives, the Lord Jesus will be glorified in us, and our lives will be the human vessels where the image of God will be reflected. All this can take place because we are granted the grace by God and our Lord Jesus Christ. Today, let’s choose to become vessels where the light of Christ will shine through, in whatever assignment in life! Let’s do it for His glory!