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. 2 Thessalonians 3:6-7
Over the last few weeks, we have discussed the truth that Jesus is returning one day. We have been thinking about living with the end in mind. As we think about these things, we may wonder how to respond in light of His coming. What do we do? Do we stop focusing on this life on earth? How do we live now while we wait for His return? Anticipating some of these questions, Paul helped the readers of 2 Thessalonians know how to live until the time Jesus returns.
Paul wrote, “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” (verse 6). With this instruction, Paul addressed the fact that some Christ followers believed that Jesus’ return was coming very soon, and because of that, they could stop working hard and wait for Jesus to come back. They wanted the church to take care of them until Jesus’ return. To the people who thought that way, Paul wanted them to know that there was a better way to live. He called them not to live idle lives, just waiting for Jesus without working hard or contributing to society and making a difference for Christ. He told them instead to follow the example that he, Silas, and Timothy set. They worked hard. Then he reminded them of the teaching they had been given earlier: “Those unwilling to work will not get to eat” (verse 10).
Paul wanted readers, including us, to understand that until Jesus returns, we are to work hard and be good stewards of the gifts we have been given until Christ returns. We do not wait aimlessly for Christ to return. Instead, we use our gifts and resources well, pointing others to Christ along the way. This, friends, is how we wait.
Commit 2 Thessalonians 3:6-7 to memory. Let these verses remind you how we can live as we wait for Jesus to return. Commit to following the instructions in this verse, working hard, and using your gifts and resources to point others to Christ.
"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. 7 For you know that you ought to imitate us. We were not idle when we were with you. 8 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. 9 We certainly had the right to ask you to feed us, but we wanted to give you an example to follow. 10 Even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “Those unwilling to work will not get to eat.”
11 Yet we hear that some of you are living idle lives, refusing to work and meddling in other people’s business. 12 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. 13 As for the rest of you, dear brothers and sisters, never get tired of doing good.
14 Take note of those who refuse to obey what we say in this letter. Stay away from them so they will be ashamed. 15 Don’t think of them as enemies, but warn them as you would a brother or sister.
16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all.
17 HERE IS MY GREETING IN MY OWN HANDWRITING—PAUL. I DO THIS IN ALL MY LETTERS TO PROVE THEY ARE FROM ME.
18 May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all."
