Monday 20th October
Read 2 Thessalonians 3:6-8
“In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, 8 nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, labouring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you.” (NIVUK)
There are two things that immediately cause us to pause. The first is the idea of being commanded. We are easily convinced to live out the freedom we have in Jesus but far less amenable to commands. Our allegiance is often conditional on what we think of the commands! Today it is further subject to who is issuing them. Paul is confident however that the Thessalonians at least are faithful and obedient (v4) and will persevere with what is required (v5).
The second cause for pause concerns the command itself. Paul calls the church to actively shun the idle and disruptive. Surely that is a little harsh. Aren’t we called to forgive our brothers repeatedly and at great cost? Laziness and a bit of disruption doesn’t demand such discipline. I suspect we underestimate the significance of the charge.
Ancient economies were considerably tighter than the welfare states with which are familiar. To not contribute, and then disrupt those who are contributing, be it by distraction or destruction, results in significant harm to the community. Tolerating such behaviour quickly breaks down an ancient community. Hence the command.
Rather than instinctively questioning such commands the wise response is to determine what idleness and disruption may look like in our church community?
