'Well, it just doesn't seem fair. They're doing the bare minimum. They seem to be very skilled at avoiding any responsibilities, while we seem to always be on call to respond to every need. Others take shortcuts and brag about it while we try to play by the rules. I'm tired of trying to do the right thing. What's the payback? Is my life any better because of it? Why bother? Why not go with the flow? If they can, so can I."
The Apostle Paul had already written one letter to the believers in Thessalonica, and now he writes a second. He clarifies some of the issues related to the Coming of the Lord. He wants them to see the distinctions between the Rapture, the Day of the Lord and Christ’s manifestation when He returns to reign.
One of the issues in Thessalonica was that a group of believers, anticipating the Lord’s Return, had resigned from their jobs and stopped working on their gardens — they had stopped working altogether.
“Why work, if the Lord could return today or any day? We should just visit the coffee shops, drop in to visit other Christians, read, stroll through town, visit the markets, sit on our verandahs and watch the sun set and shoot the breeze with friends and relatives.”
Sadly, they stopped working and started waiting. It probably sounded “spiritual,” but how wrong they were!
Was it okay for Christians to do this? “No,” Paul says, “It is wrong! Yes, the Lord is coming, but until He returns, keep putting in an honest day’s work; no slacking off; be diligent and disciplined in your manner of living. It’s a good testimony in the community. If a person can work but doesn’t, then neither shall he eat. Don’t expect the other Christians to feed you.”
The Christians who continued to work probably thought: “Something’s wrong with this picture. We’re working hard to keep food on our tables, and these others are doing nothing and expecting us to drop off food to them. I’ve had it up to here! That’s it. I’m finished with putting food on other people’s tables – no matter who it is. I’m tired of all this.”
The Apostle didn’t condone the idleness of some of the Christians, nor did he encourage other Christians to start feeding those who had stopped working. Paul’s recommended approach to dealing with the willfully non-working idle believers is not the focus of this Bible Bite. (2 Thessalonians 3:10, 1 Timothy 5:13)
Paul writes these words to encourage them:
For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good. 2 Thessalonians 3:11-13 ESV
“As for you …” Even if others around you are doing the wrong thing, don’t you get tired of doing the right thing. Even if others have shady business practices and tarnish the Christian testimony in the community, you remain focused on doing what is good and right. Others will have to give an account of their choices and their actions to the Lord when they stand before Him. They will have to answer for themselves. But “as for you,” continue to do the right thing. Don’t even think about getting discouraged or depressed. Just keep on following the Lord, honouring His Word and remaining faithful. Others may ignore the commands of Scriptures; others may make poor choices, but “as for you?” Don’t even allow your mind to go down that road. Do not grow weary in doing what is right. Don’t lose heart in doing good.
Like sinners, sometimes we measure ourselves by others. A rapist in prison knows he is not as good as he should be but he’s certainly not as bad as the murderer in the next cell. But he’s measuring himself by the wrong standard. We encourage sinners to get to the Word of God and view themselves in light of God’s holy standards. But sometimes we catch ourselves as Christians saying: “Well, I’m not the Christian I should be, but at least I’m not doing what some of the other Christians are doing.” That’s not the standard the Lord will use at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
Consider these verses in light of standing before the Lord:
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:21
“For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.” 1Peter 2:15
“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labour is not in vain.” 1Corinthians 15:58
“Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.” Hebrews 12:3
Is what I’m doing right and good from the Lord’s perspective?
Dear Child of God, take it from the Lord and His Word today: Don’t become tired of doing what is right and what is good.