Stuart Olyott opens 2 Thessalonians 2 :13 – 3:5 and paints a portrait of “true Christianity.” A real Christian, he says, is saved—a word “stronger than helped or rescued”—delivered from God’s wrath through Christ’s death and resurrection. That rescue rests on God’s loving choice, the Spirit’s sanctifying work, and believing the gospel truth: “God chose you as the first‑fruits to be saved through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth”.