[:en]SCRIPTURE: 2 THESSALONIANS 3
“May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance? ( 2 Thessalonians 3:3)
“If a man will not work, he shall not eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:10)
“And as for you brothers, never tire of doing what is right” (2 Thessalonians 3:13)
Here are the the two prayer requests opf Paul:
- That the message of the Lord may spread and be honored
- That they may be delivered from wicked and evil men
WARNINGS AGAINST IDLENESS
Some ot the Thessalonian believers misapplied the teaching concerning the return of Christ. They agandoned their jobs to wait for Him to come. Paul admonished the true believers to withdraw from these lazy Christians so that they might be ashamed and be corected. But the faithful had to treat the offenders as brothers and sisters, and not as enemies. Paul made himself as an example. He worked with his own hand and supported himself and his co-workers. He told them to follow this principle: “If any man does not work, he shall not eat”. Those who refused to work became busybodies interferring with other people’s business. This would be a bad testimony to the unbelievers. That is why Paul counseled the church to stop giving financial support to those who are lazy and refrain from assoicating those who persisted in the idleness.The truth of Christ second coming ought to encourage us to work harder and to be faithful to His work. Paul encouraged the faithful Christians to “Be not weary in doing good”.
Paul closed his letter with the benediction of peace and grace. He added his personal signture to guarantee the genuiness of his letter.
LESSON:
The second coming of Christ is a truth that could make us better Christians. The doctrine of Christ’s return should prepare us to pray more, to constantly read His Word and to live a holy life. It should not be an excuse for us to be lazy and become busybodies minding other people’s affair. People who can work but refuse to work must not be supported. However, we are oligated to help those who cannot work but have honest needs. We should continue to do what is right and good. We must be hearers and doers of the Word.[:]