Are you worthy of the kingdom of God?

“Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring. This is evidence of the righteous judgement of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering” (II Thessalonians 1:4-5).

There is a great paradox here. On the one hand, we know we are all saved by grace through faith alone in Jesus Christ. Still, Paul says we are considered worthy of the kingdom of God through something else. This is also evidenced in verse 11:

“To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling…”

How are we made worthy of the kingdom of God; worthy of his calling? Verse 4 gives us the answer:

WE ARE MADE WORTHY OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD THROUGH STEADFASTNESS AND FAITH IN ALL PERSECUTION AND AFFLICTION.

What a beautiful revelation! Steadfastness and faith through any circumstance is evidence of God’s work in us. Nothing can deter us from our goal. There are no true setbacks for the man or woman of God because his heart is fixed on Jesus through all suffering.