Here, Paul warns the Thessalonian Christians that many people would be misled by Satan, and that some would turn away from the Truth altogether, turning to strong delusions and lies. The implication which Paul makes here is that signs and wonders and counterfeit miracles are NOT, therefore, sufficient assurances of salvation. Nor are they sufficient for the basis of our confidence. For Satan offers these things to delude.

What is it, then, that makes us confident in our belief? Well, just after Paul’s warning NOT to place our confidence in signs and wonders, he affirms that there IS strong reason for confidence, and that we, as Christians, can find our eternal identity by understanding and appreciating that reason.

Let’s continue reading on in our text there in 2 Thessalonians, the 2nd chapter, picking up with verse 13 and reading through verse 17: “But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the Truth. He called you to this through our Gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter. May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, Who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.”

Simply stated, Paul says that our basis for confidence lies in the fact that we, as believers, as members of God’s family, are part of God’s eternal purpose. And because God is involved, our fate is not subject to every changing whim of human circumstance and activity. God, Who never changes, is the great “I AM,” “The Alpha and the Omega,”—The Beginning and the End, “The Same yesterday, today, and yea, forever.” We can have CONFIDENCE in that! [Read Exodus 3:13-14 for the reference to God as “I AM.” Read Revelation 1:8, Revelation 21:6 and Revelation 22:13 for the references to God as “The Alpha and the Omega” and “The Beginning and the End.” Read Hebrews 13:8 for the reference to “The same yesterday, today and forever.” This reference is talking about Jesus Christ, but because Jesus is “God among us,” this is also a reference to all that is God—God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.]

Let’s take some time this evening to examine in detail this confidence that we can have in our hope. First, let’s go back to our text and notice that Paul presents a contrast—a contrast AND a choice. 2 Thessalonians 2:12: “…so that all will be condemned who have not believed the Truth but have delighted in wickedness.” And then verse 13: “But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the Truth…”

Verse 12 says that some will believe the lie, and be condemned. BUT, Paul says, this does not reference to the faithful. Right there, at the beginning of verse 13, Paul puts the conjunction, “BUT.” And the “But” there in verse 13 introduces sort of the other side of the coin—the flip side of this issue, so to speak. Paul is saying here, do not depend on powers and wonders. They mislead! BUT…you may depend on this. Some will perish through unrighteousness, BUT…you need not be in that number of people who perish. We, as believers, have reason for confidence and assurance, and that reason is far greater than our own confidence in ourselves, or confidence in our fellow man, because we are part of God’s eternal plan.

What IS God’s purpose—His eternal plan? Well, we can see that purpose in this text that we’re using tonight. First of all, let’s notice that as part of God’s eternal plan, He has made a selection. He has chosen you and I, verse 13. As a person saved in Christ, we have been a part of God’s plan for how long? Did you notice that? How long did Paul say that we have been a part of this plan? “From the beginning!” And for what PURPOSE are we “chosen” or “selected?” Paul says, “…for SALVATION!” This fact alone is reason for our confidence, and should also bring us great joy! We, as believers, have been set apart for God’s purpose, and separated from sin when we first responded to the Gospel and turned to God.

Let’s to back to the first epistle that Paul wrote to the church at Thessalonica, 1 Thessalonians, chapter 1, verses 9 and 10. Paul writes, “…for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead—Jesus, Who rescues us from the coming wrath.”

Further, we are sanctified. That word, “sanctified”, means “set apart to be made holy.” And this sanctification is evident throughout our Christian life. Once again, we are sanctified not by our own power or worthiness, but by the Spirit of God. Again, 1 Thessalonians, this time chapter 4, and verses 1 through 8, Paul writes: “Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. It is God’s Will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him. The Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told you and warned you. For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, Who gives you His Holy Spirit.”