2Th 3:6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.
2Th 3:7 For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;
2Th 3:8 Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:
2Th 3:9 Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.
2Th 3:10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
2Th 3:11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.
2Th 3:12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
2Th 3:13 But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.
2Th 3:14 And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.
2Th 3:15 Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
The example- HARD WORK, not being a busy body, lazy, interfering.
The Apostles knew they would be cared for simply for the miracles they could perform. People would flock to them, be healed by them- spiritually, physically, and then they'd be extremely grateful for the miracles performed on their behalf. The power was there for the Apostles to be for the most part tended to- fed, clothed, etc. Yet the Apostles did NOT take advantage of their ability given to them by the Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ. They didn't sit back and rest on their laurels. They worked and worked HARD. Why did they do this? As an example to us! We aren't to believe that being a Christ follower means having an easy, work free life. We are all called to work hard and provide for others and ourselves not depend upon others to do for us what we can do ourselves.
We are ALL called to different paths in life. Every single one of us is called in a unique way. We have to answer to God for either fulfilling or neglecting the calling we are given. Did we do our best in hard work in what we were called to do? Did we slack and expect others to do for us what we could have done ourselves? Did we rather gossip than work? Were we weary in well-doing? Did we get fed up with doing the work we have been called to do?
If we are caught up with those who encourage laziness and gossiping, if we take part in their wrong behavior then we are guilty of it. If we can keep out of it then we are obligated to do so. If we are called to face those we are shunning we must let them know why we are keeping ourselves from them and by the GRACE of God they will feel the shame of their behavior.
All too often living in our modern world of office work, corporate work, the work hierarchy so incredibly different then so long ago, we feel these same things do not apply and yet they do. We are to do our work whatever it is- honorably, quietly, and NOT call our gossiping and laziness our work- that is never our job.
We aren't to call our co-workers who are caught up in wrong doing- our enemies- they are our misguided brothers and as such where God guides us we must obey and admonish where He wills. I'm not saying that we should take on a superior attitude, a self-righteous, holier-than-thou position, NOT AT ALL! You can admonish others humbly when the Holy Spirit is leading you.
We need to pray, pray that we do NOT grow weary in well-doing, that we do NOT become a part of the crowd, the norm, who encourage gossiping and busybody behavior. By the grace of God alone can we keep ourselves IN HIM as HE would have us be, and only by HIS GRACE.
We live in Godless times. We live in times of powerful deceptions. We live in a time where right is said to be wrong and wrong is said to be right. We need to grow ever closer to God, ever closer to our Savior who alone can save us, who can keep us in HIM. We need to cling to Christ and HIS word, HIS love!
All by HIS GRACE!
2Th 3:7 For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;
2Th 3:8 Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:
2Th 3:9 Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.
2Th 3:10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
2Th 3:11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.
2Th 3:12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
2Th 3:13 But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.
2Th 3:14 And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.
2Th 3:15 Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
The example- HARD WORK, not being a busy body, lazy, interfering.
The Apostles knew they would be cared for simply for the miracles they could perform. People would flock to them, be healed by them- spiritually, physically, and then they'd be extremely grateful for the miracles performed on their behalf. The power was there for the Apostles to be for the most part tended to- fed, clothed, etc. Yet the Apostles did NOT take advantage of their ability given to them by the Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ. They didn't sit back and rest on their laurels. They worked and worked HARD. Why did they do this? As an example to us! We aren't to believe that being a Christ follower means having an easy, work free life. We are all called to work hard and provide for others and ourselves not depend upon others to do for us what we can do ourselves.
We are ALL called to different paths in life. Every single one of us is called in a unique way. We have to answer to God for either fulfilling or neglecting the calling we are given. Did we do our best in hard work in what we were called to do? Did we slack and expect others to do for us what we could have done ourselves? Did we rather gossip than work? Were we weary in well-doing? Did we get fed up with doing the work we have been called to do?
If we are caught up with those who encourage laziness and gossiping, if we take part in their wrong behavior then we are guilty of it. If we can keep out of it then we are obligated to do so. If we are called to face those we are shunning we must let them know why we are keeping ourselves from them and by the GRACE of God they will feel the shame of their behavior.
All too often living in our modern world of office work, corporate work, the work hierarchy so incredibly different then so long ago, we feel these same things do not apply and yet they do. We are to do our work whatever it is- honorably, quietly, and NOT call our gossiping and laziness our work- that is never our job.
We aren't to call our co-workers who are caught up in wrong doing- our enemies- they are our misguided brothers and as such where God guides us we must obey and admonish where He wills. I'm not saying that we should take on a superior attitude, a self-righteous, holier-than-thou position, NOT AT ALL! You can admonish others humbly when the Holy Spirit is leading you.
We need to pray, pray that we do NOT grow weary in well-doing, that we do NOT become a part of the crowd, the norm, who encourage gossiping and busybody behavior. By the grace of God alone can we keep ourselves IN HIM as HE would have us be, and only by HIS GRACE.
We live in Godless times. We live in times of powerful deceptions. We live in a time where right is said to be wrong and wrong is said to be right. We need to grow ever closer to God, ever closer to our Savior who alone can save us, who can keep us in HIM. We need to cling to Christ and HIS word, HIS love!
All by HIS GRACE!
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