Evidence of Righteous Judgment

The saying is true, things are not always as they seem.  Consider for example Paul’s statement regarding the Thessalonians’ suffering.  Their endurance through persecutions and afflictions is evidence of the righteous judgment of God (2Ths 1:4-5).  Who would ever believe that if the Spirit had not revealed it?  Would any of us consider public reproach, plundering of property, physical abuse and even death the proof that our Father is judging righteously?  To the eye of sense that seems absurd.  But to the eye of faith it is gospel truth.  As the apostle says elsewhere to the Philippians, This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God (Php 1:28).  As the Christian suffers the indignity and pain of persecution at the hands of malicious evildoers, it is a sign of their destruction and his salvation!  It is evidence of righteous judgment!  What strange irony.  In the midst of such hardship it requires a childlike trust in the wisdom and fidelity of our gracious God to think like that.  But then His kingdom is very different from the kingdoms of this world.  Indeed, it is otherworldly.  Its means and ends and principles are vastly different, even diametrically opposed to those of mere earthly realms.  So this should not surprise us.  It is a wonderful paradox characterizing the experience of Christians as we live in a fallen world and make our pilgrimage heavenward.  Things are not as they seem!  In the midst of affliction and persecution, suffering and weakness the church is growing, advancing, and glorifying God through faith in the crucified Christ.  It makes no sense to fleshly reason, but to the sanctified mind it makes perfect sense.  Scripture teaches us how it is in perfect accord with the infallible plan of God.  Our Lord Jesus has overcome Satan and always overrules his schemes.  By His death Christ has removed the evil of afflictions so that all of them without exception only serve the great cause of our salvation.  Are you enduring some form of persecution or hardship at the hands of evildoers?  It is evidence of God’s righteous judgment!  It is a sign of your salvation!  It is proof that God considers you worthy of His kingdom through our great Redeemer King, even Jesus Christ.