2 Thessalonians 3:13-15

2 Thessalonians 3:13-15

And you all, brothers and sisters, should not become discouraged while doing what is right.  And if anyone does not obey our words through this letter, pay special attention to this one to not even associate with him in order that he should be shamed.  And do not consider him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Paul tells the Thessalonians not to be discouraged when doing what is right.  This should spark a question.  Why would anyone become discouraged when doing what is right?  After all, if we are doing what is right, from where will the discouragement come?  But the reality is that it is remarkably easy to become discouraged when doing something right.  It is hard when we do the right thing and are not noticed.  It is easy to have our good nature taken advantage of.  Temptation wears us down and it can be difficult to find the strength to resist.  In reality, Paul knows what I also believe to be true.  It is far more difficult to be good than to be evil.

Where in your life do you get worn down in your pursuit of godliness?  Where do you get your encouragement to do continue doing good?

Second Thought:

As Paul concludes this letter, he makes another case for obedience.  This isn’t about Paul being right and in charge.  This is about humbleness.  We should obey godliness.  We should be willing to put ourselves aside.  We should be willing to put the community ahead of the individual.  When we are not obedient to spiritual authority we are neither being humble nor good for the community.

Where are you obedient to spiritual authority?  Where do you find temptation to care more about your own desires rather than doing the right thing?

Third Thought:

Finally, Paul tells the Thessalonians that they should take note of those who are not willing to obey.  He then says to have nothing to do with them.  But we should really pay attention to why Paul says this.  Paul is not saying these things because he wants people to be castigated.  Paul doesn’t want people to be rejected and abandoned.  In fact, paul specifically speaks to this point when he says that we should not consider them as we consider an enemy.  We should do this in brotherly love.  We should warn the person of their attitude of rebellion in love so that they come out of their rebellion and back into the community.  When we ostracize people, we often end up pushing them deeper into the behavior.  But when we warn them in love, we can ensure that they know that they are welcome in our presence should they desire to live according to God’s ways.

Have you ever been shunned?  What was the result of such an act?  Have you ever been confronted in love?  How did that differ from being shunned?  Was the outcome any different?

Passage for Tomorrow: 2 Thessalonians 3:16-18