2 Thess 1:4 Therefore, we ourselves boast about you among God's churches about your endurance and faith in all the persecutions and afflictions you endure. It is a clear evidence of God's righteous judgement that you will be counted worthy of God's kingdom, for which you also are suffering,
The modern church movement is emphasizing and encouraging that people stay in their comfort zone of lusts and wants. They even command you that you are to demand from God, to seek material wealth from Him, to seek health from Him. Such are evident from books like "Undeserved/Unmerited Favor", "Victorious Living" by Joseph Prince who centrals his messages around the doctrine of grace. The grace Joseph Prince emphasizes on is health and wealth. He sometimes allows people a peephole view of the cross as a means to avoid hell and a ticket to heaven. And immediately, centrals back to the health and wealth messages
But the grace the bible says is not at all like that. The grace of the bible is CHRIST CRUCIFIED for us. Health and wealth are secondary. They are not a necessity, though God may bless people with it to build the church, not just indulge in themselves. In fact, Christ and the letters of Paul encourages Christians that we are to rejoice in suffering for the Lord. For it is a clear evidence that we will be counted worthy of God's Kingdom.
Flee from the deceptiveness of the health and wealth gospel. This is not the true gospel. This is not obeying the gospel of our Lord Jesus. This falsehood will cause you to pay the penalty of eternal destruction from the Lord's presence.
2 Thess 1:8-9 "taking vengeance with flaming fire on those who don't know God and on those who don't obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. Theses will pay the penalty of eternal destruction from the Lord's presence..."
On the other hand, this is not a doom and gloom gospel.
By delighting and pursuing the true gospel of Christ, by centering on Christ being crucified, by wiling to bear our own cross daily, we are not suffering in vain. We have joy through suffering, knowing that is for the sake of Christ. Through it, we are counted worthy of the Kingdom. Through it, though it seems we lose our lives, we actually gain it. Through it, we earn the crown of righteousness. Through it, we receive praise, as the good, faithful slave of Christ.
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