The close to this letter carries with it several final thoughts. This is common with Paul's writing.
2 Thess 3:1-2 is a personal prayer request from Paul to the church. Pray for us. Pray for opportunities to share the Word. Pray for the Word to take root and to grow rapidly. Pray that we will not be stopped by opposition. These prayers SHOULD serve as a clear reminder that we are not in the "business" of gaining knowledge or studying the Bible. We are in the "business" of life transformation and that occurs when God takes the sown seed of His Word and works it to accomplish His purpose.
Some people say to me at times, "I wish I could get something out of the Bible when I read it." I have been there. Here is what I know from experience. If you will ask God to speak to you through His Word and will go about what it takes to grasp it (more on that in another forum if there is interest), then God will speak. He will take His Word and apply it in incredible ways.
Some people say that they want to be part of a church where life transformation takes place in large proportions. The prescription for this (which I would call "revival") is a movement of God in response to the prayers and brokenness of His people. In other words, "God, open hearts of people to hear and receive. Anoint your Word as it is preached and taught that it would be powerful. Anoint your Messengers...that their words will be well chosen, powerful, and relatable. Bring Holy Spirit Conviction as you apply your Word to lives."
2 Thess 3:6 is a strong admonition. It does not "play" too well in our politically correct culture, but it is the Word of God...even if not too "pc." Stay away from brethren who do not lead lives consistent with what you have been taught. This is broad spectrum teaching and presupposes that attempts at reconciliation have been attempted (MT 18). It assumes that the lifestyle/conduct of the brother is detrimental to the cause of Christ. It does not mean "necessarily" some huge ugly sin. In 2 Thess 3:7-13 we see it implied that some of the "unruly" lifestyle spoken of is being a busybody and not working to provide for oneself. A "busybody" is one who goes around with great stories/philosophies/ideas...eating your grocieries...and then moves on to the next house to do the same. ( I saw a Little House on the Prairie episode about this once...)
What do you do if they will not listen to your attempts to correct them? "Keep away" from them (2 Thess 3:6). What is the standard to measure their lives against? The example that Paul had given. The reason for this type of response to the person's conduct is give in 2 Thess 3:14-15. Do this, not because he is an enemy, but because he is a brother and his actions need to be corrected. It is the exercising of "church discipline."
2 Thess 3:16-17 is the closing benediction and Paul's authenticating mark. As we saw yesterday... there was some concern about letters or messages surfacing that were presented as being from Paul that were not (2 Thess 2:1-2). Paul said that any letter from him would bear his characteristic signature (mark/handwriting style) to validate that it was from him. A good application point to that is that not everything is as it appears at first glance. Make sure that everything bears up to scrutiny. Examine it closely.
Proverbs 16:3 is the takeaway today. Abundant life begins with the decision, "I am committed to fulfilling the Lord's purpose for my life...no matter the cost." In everything we do...God is the point. He is why we work diligently. He is why we conduct ourselves as we do. He is the reason we "put up with" what we do. When we begin with this objective...then we are destined to KNOW the will of God. Once we KNOW the will of God and are committed to doing it, God directs us to DO the will of God. He provides the resources, ability, and power. Know and Do the will of God.
By the way: Tomorrow is Zephaniah. (Right after Habakkuk in the OT). See you there!
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Promises are so refreshing, 2 Thess 3:3 says 'The Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one'. We must be faithful. We must listen and to hear we must pray. It is a cycle, we pray... listen for God's instruction and then we must be faithful to follow no matter what happens. Paul outlines it well and even encourages with this verse, who would not want to be protected from the evil one. This is all you need to do, wow what a promise. Proverbs 16:3... all I can say is WOW!!! Good stuff. God is the point, IT IS NOT ABOUT ME... :-) Thanks for that.
I didn't get a chance to read this yesterday, but man, it sure would have helped me. I delt with a discipline thing myself yesterday. See, miss a day, miss a lot! Thank you for this word of truth.
Although we are in the "business" of life transformation through God's word, we must remember that people must see themselves as sinners first. If they don't see the need for a Savior then they won't listen. Amanda's right.... it's NOT about us, it's about HIM... the only way for people to see that is for them to see that they are a sinner and let the Holy Spirit do the rest. Without the Spirit, people will not understand the Word, they will not want to be a part of a church, and I am convinced that is the reason for so many "backsliders." I believe it is because in the beginning, when they first accept Christ, they think that somehow God can just make everything better. When things don't go as they expect, they toss Jesus off to the side and then feel a certain "disappointment" in HIM and feel as though they have been lied to. If they first understand their sin and where they are heading to as a result of that sin, they will see their need for a Savior and would hang onto God as they go through trials in life instead of just jumping ship. Too many people get wrapped up in the emotion of it all and then wonder what happens when that fire just dies out. My question is... was it even real to begin with???
Ah... correction. I delt with this yesterday. God showed me that as a Christian, sometimes, we must seperate ourselves from others that may drag us down for the cause of Christ. The problem is this... what do you do if it's someone who professes with their mouth that they live for Jesus, but their life says otherwise, and they say they are joining a church, but 6 months later have still failed to do so? Is it right to practice church discipline on a person who does not belong to a church? To a person that proclaims the name of Jesus to other Christians, but not live it with their life? I guess you would call them, a "closet Christian?" DO you just leave them alone and leave it in God's hands??? You said at the end of the letters that Paul wrote there was a certain signature to validate that the letters were from Paul... If everything is not as it seems, people too, in that aspect of thinking, also, people may not be as they seem.
Promises. I just love the promises of God. Knowing the will of God, going in the direction that HE would have us go, and KNOWING that HE WILL PROVIDE for you to complete the task. How awesome is that? Our faithfulness brings about protection from the evil one and fufillment of the promises of God. What more could you ever want in life??? Our God is SO GOOD!
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