Good morning. Finally Paul is done with the end times. But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. We were chosen from the beginning; it was not an afterthought by God. Remember Paul just got finished talking about people believing a deception. We however believed in the truth. He again mentions that sanctification comes by the Holy Spirit. And it was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. We were not called just to get our fire insurance. We were called unto sanctification. So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught. Paul loves to tell people to stand firm. Sadly today believers are taught the traditions of men, not of God. Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word. The Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. God is faithful to us, even when we are not faithful to Him. We need not fear the evil one, because God will protect us. May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ. Then something that sounds cruel in today's politically correct environment, but is actually very necessary in the church. Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ that you keep aloof from every brother who leads an unruly life and not according to the traditions which you have received from us. Remember that bad company corrupts good morals. If we associate with someone who leads an unruly life, it will eventually rub off on us instead of the other way around. We can pray for them at a distance. Father thank You that the reader stands firm and holds to the traditions he/she was taught. He/she has Your love and is steadfast like Christ.

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