Joy of Elect’s Sanctification

2 Thessalonians 2:13-17    
13 But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, 14 to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.   16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, 17 comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.

Why did Paul have confidence and thankfulness for the Thessalonian church?  Because he knew they were called from the beginning; they were God’s elect, the church, and were given faith to know the truth of the gospel by God’s Holy Spirit.  They were called by that gospel to God’s glory in Jesus Christ as His adopted children.  This is why he goes on to say that this calling requires their loving obedience as they were taught the things of God by the apostles and scripture.  This thankful confidence then shouts out the desire and prayer for the Lord and God of them all who had such love to call and keep His sheep to build on that hope of grace and comfort with more comfort and establishment of all their good works they had been prepared for from the beginning (Eph.2:10).  This thankful confidence was due to the certainty of God’s call, and the added joy was seen in their resulting obedience of sanctification.