It is CHristmas, and many of the people whom I read are getting all excited about Christmas and the celebrations that are traditional. Which is interesting to read. I live in the Antipodes, and the idea of exams at the same time as Christmas is weird. My boys had their last exams in November.

I am also trying not to use a Jargon heading this morning. I could call this “predestination is through sanctification”, because that is what the text says, but that is far too neat. And it misses the final point: there is opposition in this world.

And we all need prayer. Paul asked for prayers, because he was putting himself into a place of witness, and not all have faith. In fact, God alone is faithful, and God keeps our vows for us.

But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits4 to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. 14 To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by four letter.

16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, 17 comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.
Pray for Us

3 Finally, brothers,5 pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honoured,6 as happened among you, 2 and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.7 4 And we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command. 5 May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.

2 Thess. 2:13-3:5

I am not that clever this morning: this blog is fueled as much by coffee as anything, and the Spirit of God may come at times. All I can say is that those without faith tend to use social sciences and political analysis. They think about who are not in the church, and use attending church as a proxy measure for who is of faith.

Not that attending Church is important. But so is prayer. We need to speak the truth, though it is a season when we are told this is not to be. And this season is not related to yuletide, but the secular worship of offence.

So excuse me, I have some people who need a few prayers, including my Pastor and Kirk.