“It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thessalonians 2:14).

It is said many places in Scripture and here it is said once again: what is the purpose of our salvation?  To become like Christ.  To gain the glory of Christ is to gain adoption as a child of the Heavenly Father.  It is not something you earn, nor deserve, but it is something you gain walking with the Savior who leads you in the way of becoming like Him.   It was for this that He called you.

Lord, You have called me to walk with You.  Guide me now and always so that I would humbly come with You to be where You are.  You know the obstacles that lie before me.  You know where I falter.  Guide me, O Lord, through these things so that the true Gospel would take hold and I would take on the glory You prepared before the foundation of the world.

Lord Jesus, You have called me to walk with You abiding in me and me in You.  You say this over and over again and yet I go off in other directions and do not do what You would have me do.  Strengthen me that I would now and always hold fast to the goodness of the Gospel I have already received and keep the faith You have given me.   Amen.

“But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth” (2 Thessalonians 2:13).

The Lord knows those who are His.  Before the foundation of the world, the Lord knew you.  It is well to leave it at that.  He knows that you are His and He has given you all the grace you need so that you may walk in salvation and see that His will is done.  You are sanctified because Christ has sanctified you.  You have been given faith in order that you might see the will of the Father accomplished in your life.

Lord, You have said that unless we become as children we cannot do this.  Too often I make these things more complex than they need to be.  Help me Lord to trust You humbly and simply  above all things.  Guide me in the way of salvation that You have prepared before me.  You have sanctified me in Your grace and Your grace is more than sufficient.  Teach me to trust these things and walk accordingly.

Lord Jesus, through Your death and resurrection, You have paved the way for all who believe.  Thank You for this gift of faith which You have given to all who believe.  Lead me Lord to see the truth, follow the truth and be a child of the Truth.  Guide me in all things, knowing that You alone are the author and finisher of my faith.  In You Lord is all hope and an eternal future.  Amen.