Co-laborers
Devotions:
“Because of this God will send upon them a misleading influence, [an activity of error and deception] so they will believe the lie, in order that all may be judged and condemned who did not believe the truth [about their sin, and the need for salvation through Christ], but instead took pleasure in unrighteousness.” 2 THESSALONIANS 2:11-12 AMP
“Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12 ESV
We cannot do the work of the ministry, bringing others to salvation, by ourselves, we need the work of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the one who shows people their sin and their need for a savior. This is our purpose on earth, to introduce people to their savior. If one does not think that they need a savior then in praying a prayer will be of no value to them because they will not know that they are lost and thus need to be saved.
There are two groups of people who are lost, those who do not know that they are lost and that salvation is available to them through Jesus Christ and those who know but reject the offer of salvation. Here in 2 Thessalonians Paul is talking about those who are in the second category.
“This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” 1 Timothy 2:3-4 ESV
God does not work in opposition to Himself. His desire and work is that all men be saved but the men have something to say about that. If they refused the free offer of salvation time and time again, then a delusion will be sent to them to seal them in their refusal to believe God's merciful gift of salvation. This is not God's perfect will for them. His perfect will is their salvation but they have refused.
As they have a choice on the earth to choose so do we. We can choose to walk closer and closer with God so His anointing, the Holy Spirit is manifest through us to woo them with God's goodness and to bring about a strong conviction upon them that they would see the error of their way and turn and be saved.