”9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.
1 Thessalonians 5:9-10New International Version (NIV)
1 Thessalonians 5:9-10 Devotional (Daily Bible Verse)
God did not appoint us to suffer wrath
1 Thessalonians 5:9-10 begins with the words “God did not appoint us to suffer wrath.” God did not destine you and me to suffer the wrath.
Therefore, salvation is part of God’s purpose for humankind. This is the core of what is called the doctrine of predestination, a doctrine that is not well understood by many Christians.
Predestination
Predestination does not mean that we’re pre-programmed beings, unable to make real choices. This would clearly contravene the doctrine of free will which comprises the fact that we make choices according to our desires.
What predestination means is that God has a purpose or plan for the ages and that He can and will carry out that plan. The Bible repeatedly affirms this (Job 42:2, Psalm 33:11, 103:19, 115:3, Isaiah 14:24, and 46:10). No wonder God did not leave the outcome of that plan up to the choices of fallen, rebellious sinners.
Consequently, Paul said that Satan, “the god of this world, has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:4). He also said that “The natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised” (1 Corinthians 2:14). And he also said that “The mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God” in Romans 8:7-8.
Salvation
Therefore, if anyone is going to be saved, it only can happen because God predestined it and causes it to happen. This is because God set His love on you and prepared a glorious future for you before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4-6 and Romans 8:29-30).
Consequently, God sent His own Son to pay the price required for your redemption from sin. Therefore, your salvation from God’s wrath is secure because He purposed it and He will finish it (Philippians 1:6 and John 6:37-40).
Remember, wrath is the opposite of the eternal life of salvation. Because there are only two destinies appointed for humankind, wrath and eternal life.
Prayer/Blessing
Heavenly Father, thank You that Christ died to pay the price for my sin and took the full force of Your wrath against my sin on the Cross. This You did so that I might be forgiven, receive eternal life, and not be appointed to wrath.
I pray that You may grant me Your grace that I may live my life in a manner that is pleasing to You. Keep me from the temptation to sin, and guide me in the way that I should go. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen.
Daily Bible Reading
Proverbs 16-19 (see How to Read the Bible in One Year or How to Read the Bible (for Beginners))
