He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 2 Thessalonians 1:8
Punishment is something that no one likes to be on the receiving side of. When punishment occurs, it means that someone was disobedient in some way or another, was caught and must pay for that act of disobedience. The types of punishment are as broad as there are ways to be disobedient.
This is something that happens at all levels in life, from the parent to child, all the way up to nation against nation.
Paul commends the people for going through suffering from others against them and that God will punish those causing the suffering. He tells them that God will punish all who do not know Him, nor obey the gospel of Jesus.
Ignorance is often seen as innocence, clearing a person of wrong doing. Many believe that if a person does not know God, then God cannot or will not punish them.
Others will also hold to the thought that because they believe in Jesus, yet don’t obey Him, that they will not be punished because God is love and would not punish them.
Both of these views are incorrect. God has revealed Himself to everyone through creation. Jesus also said that if one loves Him, he will obey Him. To love is to obey. Anything less than loving God is disobeying God.
The gospel of Jesus is not just about repenting of sin and being saved, but it is about living a holy and righteous life before God and for God. It is obeying every command of God, not to be saved, but because of the salvation that Jesus has provided.
The more one knows God, the more he will know how to live for and obey gospel of Jesus Christ, removing the need for God to punish him.
God wants a relationship with you and does not want to have to punish you. All punishment is being reserved for those who do not know Him and those who do not obey Him.
Read your bible and pray everyday so that you may know God more and more. Understand how God wants you to live your life and than live that way.
Do not give God a reason to have to punish you in the end, because you chose to either ignore Him or disobey Him.
Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will learn how God wants you to live your life; that you obey the gospel of Jesus; that God will guide you by the Holy Spirit in obeying His word; and that you will trust God as you obey Him.
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