- The Explore the Bible lesson for May 15 focuses on 2 Thessalonians 2:10-16.
Many people in power circles have used “misinformation” and “disinformation,” a nicer way to say that people lie. Only humans have the capacity to reason and to develop alternative ways to explain the truth.
In my experience, everyday people are exposed to an overload of information. Social media magnified the exposure to opinions about all areas of life. People in this generation must develop ways to tell the difference between the truth and a lie.
How important is the truth? Who is the authority to say what truth is? I choose to believe in the authority of the Scriptures. I choose to cement my belief in God in the Scriptures.
Receiving the truth (2 Thessalonians 2:10-11a)
Paul warns the church in Thessalonica about the deception the lawless one will bring against the truth. The works of Satan are to deceive as many as possible. The work of deception is strategic to distract believers from our need for salvation. Satan wants these lies to prevent people from receiving the love of truth.
How important is it to accept God’s truth about his love for humanity? The reference Paul is making is the moment people realize that we are lost without Christ. We cannot save ourselves; this is a fundamental principle for believers. For unbelievers, the fact that humanity is doomed is not something they can fathom.
Responsibility to accept the truth (2 Thessalonians 2:11b-12)
Paul makes an enigmatic statement about the consequences of not believing the truth. Paul issues a warning, stating that God will send a delusion. This delusion should not be interpreted as if God induces or makes people sin. It is not the first time Paul uses a reference of God permitting or giving them up. In Romans 1:18, God gave them up to be confused because they were stubborn against the creator. They resisted God, and he gave them up to believing the lie.
It is important to remember the context of the church in Thessalonica. Paul provided clarity in his first letter, seeking to reaffirm those suffering. God will bring judgment upon those who choose to believe Satan’s lies. There is condemnation for those that choose to believe the lie. When a person is confronted with the Scriptures, the first obstacle is the self-awareness of our fallen nature. We avoid accepting that we are broken and lost due to our sins. Repentance is a choice that cannot be produced or initiated by God. People must accept the truth about themselves and then move to believe the truth about God’s love for humanity in the person of Jesus Christ.
Gratitude and the truth (2 Thessalonians 2:13-16)
Paul is grateful to God for the believers in Thessalonica, and they chose the truth that makes them saved. Salvation for the believer is not a place but a transformation. Salvation is more than just going to heaven; it is reconciliation with our creator. Salvation is purpose and meaning to our physical life. Salvation is peace with God and ourselves.
It is the Holy Spirit who removed the scales from our eyes. When we believe, the sanctification process is initiated by the Holy Spirit—providing illumination and revelation of the Scriptures to know God. God’s glory is revealed through us by believing the gospel’s truth.
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In times of misinformation about God, stand fast and hold on to the gospel’s teachings. God does not change, and the redemption story will not change. The believer will find the encouragement to stay focused on doing works that reveal the glory of God. Satan will try to deceive; you should not be naïve but be on guard.
Ricardo Brambila, M.Div., is the pastor of Primera Iglesia Bautista Dallas and the executive director for West Dallas Community School, a Christian school for boys and girls with limited financial resources in West Dallas.
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