The most striking section of this chapter is when Paul is giving a "tough love" warning about those who are idle and not working.
First, he gives instructions to those who are idle - that they should do their work quietly and earn their own living (v12). It seems that the "quietly" part is in contrast to being a busybody - one who is going and gossiping and interfering in other people's business.
Paul also gives instructions to other believers in the church in how to relate to those who are idle - those who are part of the church and aren't willing to follow Paul's instructions to them: stay away from such persons and don't feed them. As we saw previously in Acts, the believers were providing food and taking care of the needs of the widows and those who were poor. But Paul is addressing a different situation here - those who can work and choose not to. The instruction to stay away from such a person, those who are in the church, calling themselves a believer but not obeying the instructions. This may seem harsh, unfriendly or unloving but actually the opposite is true. If someone is not following God's commands they are hurting themselves and others. At the end of time, if they have chosen to go their own way and not obey, Jesus will say "depart from me I never knew you" (Matt 7:23) so this is very serious. If we simply keep meeting with, being a "friend" to and acting like there is no problem for that person, we are effectively telling them that what they are doing doesn't matter and that they are OK as they are with no need to change. But God is saying differently, so we'd be lying to them, deceiving them and securing their path to #hell. I would say that is the opposite of love. Not only that, but it would negatively effect the church as a whole because now others would be encouraged to do evil because they see the bad example in the church and it is seemingly being approved. So now not only are we leading one person to hell, but many. So Paul's instruction to stay away and not feed such a person is an example of what some call "tough love" (#toughlove).
Paul then follows up by encouraging all believers to not grow weary in doing good. He then broadens the tough love to include anything that Paul has instructed and adds to not treat them as an enemy but warn them as a brother. This topic of church discipline is sorely lacking in the church today and with very bad consequences.
Paul closes the letter with a blessing of God's peace to be upon them and for God himself to be with them.
Truly God's presence is what we need the most!
Lord Jesus, help us to follow you with all of our heart! Let us love you and know you and serve you. And let us love one another as well. In areas like this that bristle against our "modern sensibilities" help us to submit our ways to you and please teach us your truth.
First, he gives instructions to those who are idle - that they should do their work quietly and earn their own living (v12). It seems that the "quietly" part is in contrast to being a busybody - one who is going and gossiping and interfering in other people's business.
Paul also gives instructions to other believers in the church in how to relate to those who are idle - those who are part of the church and aren't willing to follow Paul's instructions to them: stay away from such persons and don't feed them. As we saw previously in Acts, the believers were providing food and taking care of the needs of the widows and those who were poor. But Paul is addressing a different situation here - those who can work and choose not to. The instruction to stay away from such a person, those who are in the church, calling themselves a believer but not obeying the instructions. This may seem harsh, unfriendly or unloving but actually the opposite is true. If someone is not following God's commands they are hurting themselves and others. At the end of time, if they have chosen to go their own way and not obey, Jesus will say "depart from me I never knew you" (Matt 7:23) so this is very serious. If we simply keep meeting with, being a "friend" to and acting like there is no problem for that person, we are effectively telling them that what they are doing doesn't matter and that they are OK as they are with no need to change. But God is saying differently, so we'd be lying to them, deceiving them and securing their path to #hell. I would say that is the opposite of love. Not only that, but it would negatively effect the church as a whole because now others would be encouraged to do evil because they see the bad example in the church and it is seemingly being approved. So now not only are we leading one person to hell, but many. So Paul's instruction to stay away and not feed such a person is an example of what some call "tough love" (#toughlove).
Paul then follows up by encouraging all believers to not grow weary in doing good. He then broadens the tough love to include anything that Paul has instructed and adds to not treat them as an enemy but warn them as a brother. This topic of church discipline is sorely lacking in the church today and with very bad consequences.
Paul closes the letter with a blessing of God's peace to be upon them and for God himself to be with them.
Truly God's presence is what we need the most!
Lord Jesus, help us to follow you with all of our heart! Let us love you and know you and serve you. And let us love one another as well. In areas like this that bristle against our "modern sensibilities" help us to submit our ways to you and please teach us your truth.
Paul and his companion were diligent not only not to be a burden but also to make themselves a model to follow.
ReplyDeleteGod want us to be shining like stars in the universe (Philippians 2: 15) and spread the Gospel and God's character.
If we receive holy spirit and be like Christ by imitating him, we can't be idle anymore by conquering death and hell.
I pray Jesus you be with us and fill us up with holy spirit!
Verse 14 stands out to me, "Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother". For the people who are idle, others may despise them. But God still loves and calls them, so other believers need to communicate with them with a righteous attitude and warn them.
ReplyDeleteLord Jesus, please help me to have courage and confidence to warn other believers if they are idle or do not obey your commands, and enough patience to help and encourage them.