Devoted to The Works of Christ Until His Return
2 Thessalonians 3:6-9
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 you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, 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. 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.
Devoted to The Works of Christ Until His Return, Paul commanded the brethren in Thessalonian to keep away from any believer who is idle particularly those do not live according to the teaching they received. Paul reminded the brethren how he and Silvanus and Timothy labored and toil night and day so they might not be a burden to anyone while they preached the gospel of God.
In the midst of spiteful treatment and conflict, Paul, Silvanus and Timothy conducted themselves in a Holy, righteousness and blameless way that serve as a testimony of their godly behavior to the Thessalonian brethren, God as their witness. Paul taught the brethren to aspire to live a quiet life, to mind their own business and work with their own hands, so they may walk properly before unbelievers lacking nothing.
If any one does not imitate the apostles examples, after couple of warning then the brethren should keep away from such believer. Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them, keep such a person in prayer and ask the Lord to give him/her understanding on how to live at peace with all men and live a productive lifestyle reflective of kingdom of God. “For the kingdom of God is not of eating and drinking but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit – who produces fruit through us.”
Jesus said: My Father has been working until now and I have been working. I must work the works of Him who sent me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. (John 5:17, 9:4)
How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed with the devil; for God was with him. (Acts 10:38)
Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on Him God the Father has placed his seal of approval. (John 6:27)
Warning Against Idleness
2 Thessalonians 3:10-12
Even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “Those unwilling to work will not get to eat. ”Yet we hear that some of you are living idle lives, refusing to work and meddling in other people’s business. We command such people and urge them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and work to earn their own living.
All men are made in the image and likeness of God while the sons of God are being conformed to the image of Christs . All men and the sons of God (new creation) reflect all attributes of God :one of which is work. God introduced Himself to mankind in the book of Genesis through His creative work, He worked on creation for 6 days and on the 7th, day, He rested. (Genesis 1:1-31)
Devoted to The Works of Christ Until His Return, Paul stated whoever is unwilling to work, when there is work to be done should not eat, because we are the workmanship of God created in Christ Jesus for good work, which God prepared in advanced for us to do. Each person, regardless of his or her age – from a child to an elder- should steward work on the earth .“He who tills the land will be satisfied with bread, but he who follows frivolity is devoid of understanding.” (Proverbs 12:11)
As steward of God’s creation we are morally responsible for preserving the works of God’s hands, which He has given us to have dominion to bring Him praise and glory. As God’s co-worker, we ‘re expected to partner with Him– as demonstrated in Adam and Eve when they worked and took care of the Garden God prepared for them. Genesis 2:1-15 -and others to allow His Spirit to equip us to seek first His kingdom and righteousness to turn men from sin to God . Men and women should go to work,busy at their jobs to add value or preserve and save lives as salt and light in the society .
“This is a faithful saying and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men. And let our people also learn to maintain good works to meet urgent needs that they may not be unfruitful."
"Then God blessed them and God said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number, fill the earth and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” Genesis 1:28
"Jesus said: I am the vine and you are the branches, he who abides in me and I in him bear much fruit; for without me you can do nothing. This glorifies my father that you bear much fruit so you will be my disciples." John 15: 5-8
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. John 15:15-16
These 6 things the Lord hates and 7 are abomination to him:
- Proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood
- A heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil
- A false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among the brethren
Paul encouraged the Thessalonian believers to put things in order in their church to silence busybodies, those who interfere in other people’s lives to the neglect of their own. Believers are to make most of every opportunity, walk circumspectly not as unwise but wise redeeming the time because the days are evil. We should speak truthfully to our neighbor; not slander, no perversion, or unwholesome talk should come from our mouth, these are improper for God’s Holy people,
The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the perverse mouth I hate. We should build others up with the word of God, speak truth in love, serve others to prevent them from being idle, similar to the kingdom of heaven liken to a landowner who hire laborers who were idle in the marketplace for his vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16)
- Ants are creatures of little strength yet they store up their food in the summer
- Hyraxes are creatures of little power, yet they make their home in crags
- Locusts have no king, yet they advance together in ranks
- A lizard can be caught with the hand, yet it is found in king’s palaces
Pause & Think
- What practical steps can you take to put a guard on your mouth?
- How can we be more productive with our time with hearts set on things above?
- What are the six things the Lord hates and the 7 things He despises?
- How does God reward each man according to his or her work?
- What does the parable of the vineyard tenants teach about wages and covetousness?
2 Thessalonians 3:13-15
As for you, brother and sisters do not grow weary in doing good. If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take note of that person; do not associate with him, so that he may be ashamed. Yet do not consider him an enemy but warn him as a brother.
Paul encouraged the brethren who heard the word of God and obey it to not grow tired of doing what is good in the eyes of the Lord, because it not only pleases the Lord but also their relationship with the Lord would transformed from glory to glory, as they will reap whatever they sow. He encouraged them to continue to do the will of God from the heart and do good works unto the Lord and not men, knowing the Lord shall reward each man according to his works.
He encouraged the brethren to pursue what is good for both themselves and others, abstain from sexual immorality, pray without ceasing, rejoice, and always give thanks, and abstain from evil to not quench the Spirit and,God of peace would sanctify their spirit, soul and body and keep them blameless at the coming of the our Lord Jesus Christ.
Pause & Think
- How can our reflect the God we serve?
- What are the biblical ethics on work and wages?
- How can we not grow weary in doing well?
- What are the works of Christ?
- How did the apostles leadership reflect Christ?
Paul also admonished the brethren to warn an idle and disruptive believer who did not adhere to the practice of faith he taught in words and deeds to cease from being idle to be productive. If the person continues being idle and disruptive, then the brethren should go and tell him his fault in private, if he or she will not listen, they should tell one or two more witnesses and if he or she refuses to listen they should tell it to the church, and if the person refuses to hear the church then they should not associate with him or her, so he or she may not be ashamed, but keep unity of peace.
“Seek peace but do not avoid conflict, work through them in godly manner to reflect the mind of Christ” Jesus said: Peace to you! As the Father has sent me. I also send you." John 20:21
A gossip betrays a confidence so avoid anyone who talks too much. Proverbs 20:19
But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Colossians 3:8
Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate and always be gentle toward everyone. Titus3:2
Pause & Think
- How should we handle conflict without deforming others character?
- What does the bible says about gossip?
- How can you share information about another person without gossiping?
- How should a believer associate with a gossiper?
- What does Jesus means by occupy until I come?