Lesson 13 for September 29, 2012

“But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle. Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work” (2 Thessalonians 2:13-17) Paul explains the foundation of salvation to the Thessalonians: Step 1: They were chosen by God. Step 2: They were called by God. Step 3: They must keep the doctrine. Step 4: They are confirmed by God.

Chosen by God “through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth” God's choice is not arbitrary. It's based on the response of the believer to the calling of the Holy Spirit. The Thessalonian believers were chosen as first fruits of the Gospel in Thessalonica. Called by God “by our gospel” God uses the preaching of the Gospel as the means to call people to salvation (1 Corinthians 1:21) Keeping the doctrine “whether by word or our epistle” The response of the believer to the divine calling must be obeying the light he/she received. Confirmed by God “in every good word and work” Every good deed we could do is a result of God's love and grace that acts in us. A consistent life confirms the divine choice.

“Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you, and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you. Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ” (2 Thessalonians 3:1-5) Prayer request for the Word of God to “run”. Since Paul was writing from Corinth, he thought of the Isthmian races. He wanted the Gospel to run more than before in that place, so many could accept the divine message. Prayer request for being delivered from wicked men. The Jewish were causing serious problems to Paul in Corinth. Prayer request for the Lord to keep us from evil. This request is made by fully trusting the divine faithfulness Prayer request for the believers to obey. Paul's words were more than pieces of advice, but orders from the Lord for the believers. Prayer request for us to grow in love and patience. The life of a Christian is continuousl y growing in love and patience.

“But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; nor did we eat anyone’s bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us. For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread” (2 Thessalonians 3:6-12)

Some people had quit their jobs, maybe because of the wrong doctrine of Jesus' imminent coming. They meddled in other people's business in every home and they made a living at other people's expense, just on the pretext of preparing the Church for that important event. Besides referring to his own behavior in Thessalonica, Paul remembers “what we commanded you” in order to face those disorderly people. The advice for those disorderly people is that they must work to support themselves and stop being a burden and a nuisance for their brothers and sisters.

“But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good. And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother” (2 Thessalonians 3:13-15) Then disobedience is too serious, Paul suggests the disfellowship from the Church as a method for Church discipline (1 Corinthians 5:1-6) When disobedience is not that serious (like in this case), he suggests discipline by censure. Church must make clear that It does not approves the wrong behavior of the brother or sister, and that he/she must correct his/here behavior in a reasonable length of time. Let's observe that this rebuke can be found between two sentences that indicate the way we must proceed when disciplining: “do not grow weary in doing good” and “do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother”. If we want the Church discipline to be restoring, we must follow the method of Jesus in Matthew 18:15-17.

““Above all things,” the apostle writes, “have fervent charity among yourselves” (1 Peter 4:8). Do not listen to reports against a brother or a sister. Be very cautious how you take up a reproach against your neighbor. Ask the one who brings the accusation if he has obeyed the word of God in regard to this matter. Christ has left explicit directions as to what should be done. Go to your brother and tell him his fault between him and you alone. Do not excuse yourself from this, saying, There is no personal grievance between the one who is accused and myself. The rules given by Christ are so definite, so explicit, that this excuse is not valid. Whether or not the grievance is between you and the one accused, the injunction of Christ is the same. Your brother needs help. Tell him, not someone else, that reports are being circulated about him. Give him opportunity to explain. It is possible that the reports are false and that the difficulties may be adjusted by some simple explanation. This treatment is due every one supposed to be in error” E.G.W. (In heavenly places, October 12)