ACTIONS FAIR AND GOOD
Opening Prayer
Holy Spirit, deepen my understanding in the Word as I study it today. Show me how to apply it to every part of my life—my thoughts, as well as my actions.
Read 2 THESSALONIANS 3:4–18
4 We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. 5 May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.
Warning Against Idleness
6 In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching[a] you received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, 8 nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. 9 We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate. 10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”
11 We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies. 12 Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat. 13 And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.
14 Take special note of anyone who does not obey our instruction in this letter. Do not associate with them, in order that they may feel ashamed. 15 Yet do not regard them as an enemy, but warn them as you would a fellow believer.
Final Greetings
16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.
17 I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand, which is the distinguishing mark in all my letters. This is how I write.
18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
Footnotes
- 2 Thessalonians 3:6 Or tradition
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Where are your biggest challenges in following Jesus? What things do you do to secure victory?The Christian walk is a daily effort. We don’t walk for a couple of hours and then arrive; we continue walking (v. 4). It sounds easy to keep God’s love as our beginning and end, but the lure of other things means it isn’t. Hence Paul’s prayer for perseverance (v. 5). Have you ever been involved in church discipline, either giving or receiving it? It’s so difficult to get right that many churches shy away from it. But Paul had a high view of the church as a community and family, and he knew how critical its members’ behavior was for its reputation with outsiders.
Paul also knew how dangerous disruptive behavior and disobedience could be (v. 6). They spread through a community like cancer, eating away at the heart, killing the roots. They needed to be challenged, but carefully and graciously. We need to be careful not to treat our Christian brothers and sisters as the enemy (v. 15). For, even as he warned those who were idle and disruptive (vv. 11, 12), he included all the family in his final prayers (vv. 16, 18).
Apply
Do you need to hear Paul’s warnings? How can you be a good example to your Christian brothers and sisters, as Paul was (vv. 8, 9)?
Closing prayer
Merciful Father, apart from your Spirit, I confess that, all too often, I am prone to run amuck. Please fill me to overflowing with your grace, mercy, and peace.
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