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OPEN BOOK: II THESSALONIANS – AVOID THOSE WALKING “OUT OF STEP”

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BRUCE C WEARNE reflects on Paul’s advice to the church in Thessalonica to “keep their distance” from the distractions of outsiders…

Now we [strongly] advise you brothers [and sisters] in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to keep your distance from each and every brother who is walking out of step and not according to the modus operandi you received from us.
     For you yourselves know our pattern [to follow] for we were not out free-loading in your midst, and whatever bread we ate was from our own hard work and struggle – day in, day out – ensuring that you were not burdened with our [bodily] welfare. And this was not because we were without authority, but in order that we might be an example that we could then pass on to you. For it was the case, even when we were with you, that we charged you with the rule “he who will not work should not eat”.
     For we have heard that there are some in your midst who walk in this free-loading manner, not giving themselves to work and merely doing the rounds; and to them we give this charge in the Lord Jesus Christ that they work so that they [can earn what they then] eat.
     As for you, my brothers [and sisters], do not grow weary from doing good stuff.
     And if anyone does not obey our word through this letter, take note of him [or her] and don’t go getting mixed up with him, in order that he may come to see his deviance. And so, do not consider him to be an enemy but make your appeal to him as a brother. – II Thessalonians 3:6-15/transliteration by Bruce C Wearne

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KEEPING PACE: Avoid those walking “out of step” Paul advises the church in Thessalonica. PICTURE: Mosa Moseneke/Unsplash

 

“Paul is obviously keen to encourage the Thessalonian Christians to maintain the integrity of their community. This too is fully part of the work as disciples of Jesus Christ, the One sent by God to redeem and redirect our life – root and branch – so that everything we do in its entirety is caught up in praise to and the glory of the Lord.”

Paul has given the church of the Thessalonians teaching that will assist them resisting to the distractions orchestrated by outsiders who would try to weasel their way into the fellowship of the Lord with “the end of the world is nigh” prognostications.

Of course, Paul, just like any believer in Christ before or since, believed firmly in the imminent judgement of the Lord. But to do so, and to so believe, is not to set a date, is not to develop a philosophy of history that somehow culminates in one’s own brilliant, prophetic powers. Such an attitude of mind is proscribed by the Lord Jesus Himself in His instructions to His disciples just before His ascension: “You are to live in the expectation of God’s Spirit and His glorious power coming upon you and when that happens you will be my witnesses wherever you live out your days…”

And as the divine messengers said to the apostles: “Men of Galilee! Why are you standing their gorping with what has been achieved in your sight? This same Jesus shall come again, in the self same way that you have just seen Him depart” (Acts 1:8, 11).

Jesus’ teaching is sufficient to assist believers in dealing with challenges that come from without their circle but also to deal with problems that arise amongst themselves. There is a pastoral need within the fellowship that has to be met. The fact that the Thessalonian Christians constitute a distinct community suggests the need for ongoing pastoral care for each other. They should not form their common life in ways that tolerate those who are not prepared to shoulder their own load and contribute to their common life.

Instead, they have a duty to those tempted to exploit the church’s fellowship (KOINONIA) in order to avoid providing for themselves by earning their daily bread. Paul even counsels the Thessalonians to take distance from such free-loaders and free-loading. Still, he says, these are brothers (and sisters presumably) who are undisciplined who should be admonished and challenged in these terms. They are not enemies. And Paul’s statement – they who will not work shall not eat – is actual an explicit appeal to them.

Earning one’s daily food – the corollary of the petition in the Lord’s Prayer “Give us this day our daily bread” – is an integral part of life before the Lord. Here is the Biblical teaching that instructs us to see “secular” matters (working) as part of our religious devotion to the Lord. It is not only prayer that takes place before the Lord but our daily routines (PARADOSIN: tradition, modus operandi as in verse six). These include work and this is part of our daily routine in God’s Kingdom, coram Deo.

The letter draws to a close. Paul is obviously keen to encourage the Thessalonian Christians to maintain the integrity of their community. This too is fully part of the work as disciples of Jesus Christ, the One sent by God to redeem and redirect our life – root and branch – so that everything we do in its entirety is caught up in praise to and the glory of the Lord.

 

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