You have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Colossians 3:9-10.

Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15.

As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him. Psalm 18:30 NKJV.

In reading our new chapter, 2 Thessalonians 2, I did what I always do. I read the preceding paragraph…To this end also we pray for you always, that our God will count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power…and that’s why it’s so important for us to look to Creator God – Father, Son, Spirit. This chapter talks about the “man of lawlessness” and how many of them have there been throughout our history and today? Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God. Do you not remember that while I was with you, I was telling you these things? And you know what restrains him now, so that in his time he will be revealed. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way. Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming; that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders, and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved. For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness. 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. It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us. Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word.

Paul needed to address the confusion the church had that Jesus had already come or was coming so quickly they need not do anything but wait. How many times has that same mindset beset people throughout the intervening years? And how many times have we thought we were sure the “man of lawlessness” was here now? For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Is that not the way of this world then and now? We can be driven to distraction by the men of lawlessness today. Or, we can keep our eyes on Creator God – Father, Son, Spirit. 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. As I was praying after reading our chapter, I thought about Jesus when He walked this life then. He was right there in the midst of everyday people. Sinners all, just as we are without Him helping us. They came in droves for healing and to listen to Him who spoke with authority and love – so unlike their leaders. And I realized that His love is the strength this world truly needs. False leaders will rule with might and power and hubris and crush the very people who trusted them. Remember always…those in power at the time tried to destroy the work of Jesus and the Father and the Spirit. But Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there. Many followed Him, and He healed them all, and warned them not to tell who He was. This was to fulfill what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet: “Behold, My Servant whom I have chosen; My Beloved in whom My soul is well-pleased; I will put My Spirit upon Him, and He shall proclaim justice to the Gentiles. He will not quarrel, nor cry out; nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets. A battered reed He will not break off, and a smoldering wick He will not put out, until He leads justice to victory. And in His name the Gentiles will hope.” Matthew 12:15-21. Remember who the real enemy is and turn away from his way in all of its forms of lawlessness. God’s Love is His strength and our hope and joy. As we wait for Jesus’ return, let us turn to Jesus for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit…and faith in the truth. God’s truth is so beautiful and brings refreshing renewing and hope so needed by all of us. We are no different today from the people living when Jesus walked among us. We too need His healing and the authority of the truth of His love showing us how to live fully now trusting Him.