# 28 2019 Devotion, 2 Th.3:6. Do Good! Read verses 6-18. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw Gremar and I closer to God and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living. All passages are taken from the NIV.
2 Thessalonians 3:6 “In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching you received from us.”
This section is the end of Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians. Up to this point Paul has nothing but praise for this young church; their faith is an example for all and their perseverance under persecution an inspiration. But like any church with members who lose sight of God’s purpose for the church, problems start to develop. Paul warns believers not to associate with those unrepentant, those who know the truth but refuse to follow the truth, “Yet do not regard them as an enemy, but warn them as you would a fellow believer.” We don’t ignore or isolate them but we pray for them daily.
From the very beginning the church started to take care of the needy; (Acts 3:32-37) what funds they had “was distributed to anyone who had need.” Religion that is pure and accepted by God is “looking after widows and orphans” (James1:27). It appears that this ministry of the church was being abused. The reason for this, Paul points out in verse 6; is that members are not living “according to the teaching you received from us.” That is the problem isn’t it? We lose site of what the church is really about, that is, being an agent of God’s mission to the world.
We have forgotten that church traditions in this changing culture is not important, traditional music is not important, orders of worship are not important because it has no meaning to new Christians and in fact may be a hindrance to assimilate them into your church. What really is important for churches is to be agents of God’s mission to the world and to the people around us.
Paul gives us some good advice in 1 Th. 2;7,8 “we were like young children among you. Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, 8 so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.” Think on this: to be the Church of Jesus Christ; churches must share the intimacy of a loving family, share it with each other and with the people around us, especially with people out side of the church who consider the church as irrelevant.
In the passages for this week Paul encourages the faithful and he encourages us as well: “as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good. Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.” Amen!
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Heavenhigh 