Take a look at 2 Thessalonians 2:9-15 (read more than that, for fuller context if you like).
‘The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.’
—2 Thessalonians 2:9-15
Here are five points I have drawn out of this text.
I. “They did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.”
I don’t know a single person who has chosen to follow God because they hate the truth. Those who love the truth seek it out and accept it when they find it. In order to be saved, one must love the truth enough to search for it and have the humility to obey it when found.
II. “God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth”
Often times, when we hear what some believe religiously, we wonder, “How could they possibly believe that?” Some things just seem so far from the truth that they wander into the realm of delusion. This should not be surprising. Those who reject the truth for a lie, will be allowed to believe a lie. Furthermore, God will even “send them strong delusion” if that’s what they choose. Seek the truth and toss out the lies, or you might be allowed to believe them.
III. “Had pleasure in unrighteousness”
This description calls to mind the last verse of Romans chapter 1, which, in dealing with the behaviors of those whom God “gave over” to a “debased mind,” notes how “those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.”
—Romans 1:32
Having pleasure in unrighteousness is not a godly practice, and those who do or approve of such things will be held to the “righteous judgement of God.”
IV. “Salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth”
Without being sanctified by the Spirit, we cannot attain salvation. All the same, we must believe the truth to attain salvation: “…but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16b). Why would one make the choice to turn from sin without belief in the truth? Why would one obey God’s commands without belief in the truth? Belief in the truth is as important to our salvation as any other aspect of it.
V. “Stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle”
In the first century, before the New Testament was completed, the apostles traveled the known world sharing the gospel and teachings of Christ. They referred to this as “oral tradition.” Then, as they wrote letters, requesting they be copied and circulated to all the churches, the written word was shared, ultimately being recognized by the Church as the authoritative word that it was.
Paul here reminds the Christians in Thessalonica to continue following those teachings, whether they received them orally or read them in his letters. As apostles, their delivery of Christ’s teachings was guided by God through the Holy Spirit and confirmed with signs and wonders they worked, so the early Christians could be assured of the truth of these teachings.
We would do well to continue in that delivered teaching to which we have access today—the written word. The New Testament is the collection of books and letters recognized for centuries by Christians as the authoritative word of God, not because they are the twenty-seven books we like best, but because they are the twenty-seven that bear the marks of inspiration. They are harmonious, inspired, truthful, and trustworthy. There is even assurance in what we have today, even in English, as being faithful to the original autographs (but that is a deep-dive for which there is no room here).
Love the truth, believe the truth, and continue in the truth for the sake of the salvation of your soul.
V