Today in God's Word—February 2023
East Tallassee Church of Christ
February 10, 2 Thessalonians 3
As we meet the challenges of life, it’s wise to remember that we have responsibility to act, and that God is acting on our behalf. There are things we cannot do for ourselves, and we trust God’s faithfulness about such matters. But there are other things we can and should do as we live by our faith.
Paul asked the Thessalonians to pray that the word of the Lord would speed ahead and that he would be delivered from faithless, evil people who would try to hinder him. Do you see how his faith behaved? He kept working, and trusted God to take care of things over which he had no control. He knew it was up to God to bless his efforts to spread the gospel, but he asked his friends to pray that God would do it. Paul reminded them that God would be doing the same things for them, establishing them and guarding them from the evil one. He was confident they would be busy and steadfast in their obedience as God guided them.
Apparently not everyone at Thessalonica was busy. Some people were lazy. Unwilling to work, they were content to be supported by the labor of others. Paul said that those who would not work should not eat. That’s from the same apostle who taught disciples to look out for one another and to give generously to help people in need. The benevolence of the Christian community blesses those who cannot work to provide for themselves. But that charitable spirit was
never intended to create a welfare society where people who will not work are enabled to live off others. Paul cited his own hard work among them as an example to follow, and told the church to have nothing to do with the ones who wouldn’t obey. They weren’t to be treated as enemies, but they were to be warned as disobedient brothers.
Paul encouraged the Christians to not grow weary of doing good. You can drift through life in careless disobedience to God, but it takes dedication and commitment to do the right thing. When it seems people around you are getting ahead by doing wrong, you may get tired of doing the right thing. But keep on doing good; it will be worth the effort.
Life in an unbelieving, fallen world is not always peaceful for believers, but Paul prayed that the God of peace would be with them and give them peace in every moment and situation of their lives. You and I should ask ourselves, “What threat can tower above the presence of God? What challenge can disturb the heart- level peace he gives me when I trust him?” Even when it’s not easy, be faithful to your task, and know that God is faithful to keep his promises.
From The Abiding Companion: A Friendly Guide for Your Journey Through the New Testament, Copyright © 2010 by Michael B. McElroy. Used by permission. All rights reserved.10
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