2 Thessalonians 3:6-18

2 Thessalonians 3:6-18

A Christian community that is a hot mess of chaotic lives living in turmoil does not advance the gospel. The church is directed to keep “aloof” or “withdraw” from those Christians who lead an undisciplined life. In our world of tolerance, this seems radically strange. However undisciplined Christians being idle, unfruitful, and disorderly people will infect the church with their habits and lack of direction. In contrast, Paul uses his own life as an example. While he had the right as an apostle, missionary, and evangelist to be supported in his ministry, he took the high road and remained self-supporting. He taught by precept and practice.

The pattern in the church of unproductive members running about with the latest Second Coming rumor while at the same time being busybodies was a real threat to the long-term health of the congregation. Paul’s response was, “Let these individuals do without food”; that will get them to work and will help keep them out of trouble. 

This church had three interrelated struggles from the start, all of which could be helped by productive hard work. First, there was persecution from the first day of the church, as we see in Acts 17:1-9, which led to the second issue. In their persecution they were preoccupied with the return of Christ, which would bring relief. But they became vulnerable to muddle-headed teachers who, for no doubt various reasons, taught many misguided things, with the common theme that time was so short that work was no longer needed. Third, this led to a group of unengaged people running amok in undisciplined lives because they believed that time was all but over.

A hard-working, respectful, and productive life would certainly help with all three problems. It would not make persecution go away, but it will make Christians as useful citizens harder to persecute. It should be that when we look across the panorama of society, Christians are the hardest-working, most productive people to be found.

“Lord, help me to live faithfully in peace and not panicking about the end to come.  AMEN”