We command such people and urge them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and work to earn their own living. As for the rest of you, dear brothers and sisters, never get tired of doing good. 2 Thessalonians 3:12-13
Orange Theory is one of my favorite workout programs. If you are not familiar with it, it is an intense program involving a treadmill, rower, and floor exercises. There are many times as I am exercising that I feel tired. I want to quit and take a water break. I usually find the strength to keep going, however, because the Orange Theory coaches are there to encourage me not to give up. They will say something like, "Keep going. You are close to the finish line. Can you work a little bit harder?" As they encourage me, I persevere. Having the coaches cheer me on through my workout makes a huge difference and helps me keep going. Just like I need a coach to encourage me in my workout from time to time, sometimes believers need someone to remind them not to give up in their faith.
The apostle Paul understood that sometimes believers need someone to encourage them to keep pressing on and doing good, even when they are tired. He writes in 2 Thessalonians that he has heard that some people in the church of Thessalonica are living lazy lives, refusing to work and instead "meddling in other people's business" (verse 11). Because of this, Paul urged them to settle in to do hard work. Next, he encouraged those who were already working hard not to become tired of doing good. Like a good mentor or coach, Paul encouraged them to keep working hard and pressing on in the faith.
As you consider your life, how do these verses from 2 Thessalonians land with you? Have you found yourself living a lazy lifestyle, refusing to do the things you know you should be doing? Maybe you are working hard and doing good things with your life, but you are tired. You are considering giving up and living lazily instead of persevering in your faith. Let me encourage you today to keep moving forward. You can do it. We believe in you. Remember the words of the Apostle Paul in 2 Thessalonians 3:13.
"As for the rest of you, dear brothers and sisters, never get tired of doing good." Keep going, my friend! Persevere even when it is hard. With every step you take, you are one step closer to the finish line!"
One way we can do good today is to tell others about the good news of Jesus Christ. Pick one unbeliever in your life who needs His hope today and share the Bridge Diagram with them. Tell them about what Jesus Christ did for them so that they could have eternal life. Even if you are tired and weary, keep pressing on and doing good.
Read 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15 (NLT)
And now, dear brothers and sisters, we give you this command in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ: Stay away from all believers who live idle lives and don’t follow the tradition they received from us. For you know that you ought to imitate us. We were not idle when we were with you. We never accepted food from anyone without paying for it. We worked hard day and night so we would not be a burden to any of you. We certainly had the right to ask you to feed us, but we wanted to give you an example to follow. Even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “Those unwilling to work will not get to eat.”
Yet we hear that some of you are living idle lives, refusing to work and meddling in other people’s business. We command such people and urge them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and work to earn their own living. As for the rest of you, dear brothers and sisters, never get tired of doing good.
Take note of those who refuse to obey what we say in this letter. Stay away from them so they will be ashamed. Don’t think of them as enemies, but warn them as you would a brother or sister.
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