Monday, Sept. 7 –
It’s the beginning of the week, and also Labor
Day, so I hope you get a day to relax.
While you relax, take a bit of time to read today’s passage – the last
part of 2 Thessalonians 2:13 – 3:18.
Please return here for some more things to reflect on.
The heart of Paul for the churches he both founded and ministered to was parental
in tone. He was not afraid to tell them
where they needed to change or what they needed to be concerned about, but he
was also fatherly in his desire to see them grow, gain wisdom and knowledge,
and be established in their faith. As we
end 2 Thessalonians, we see this come to the forefront. At the end of the first letter, he wrote to
them to “live, stand firm in the Lord” (3:8). In the second letter, he had shown his
concern writing “don’t become shaken in mind,” as the false teachers had
lied to them. They had swallowed a series of lies from someone purporting to be
Paul, who told them the Day of the Lord – the return of Jesus – had taken
place. They forgot what Paul had
instructed them about how the end times would take place.
As he ends this letter, he returns to the theme
of the first letter, writing –
“But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the
Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through
sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. To this he called
you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus
Christ” (2:13-14).
Had they forgotten more of what he had first told them? Their confusion becomes the background for Paul’s
fatherly appeal to them to remember their faith must stay centered in Christ.
Twice he reminds them – first that they are “beloved, God chose you…through
sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth”. God “chose…through”, a formula Paul often
repeats in speaking about our salvation in Christ. It is a reminder to us, God initiates our
salvation, and we respond in believing to his initiating grace. The second one follows – “to this end he
called you – through this Gospel you believed in – that you might obtain the glory
of Jesus” (my paraphrase). Here it
is, a complete picture from God’s point of view of the means and the ends to
salvation. It is in eternity past that
God’s choice was made, and it is in eternity future that we obtain the glory of
Christ. In between the Spirit sanctifies
us as we keep embracing the truth of grace through faith in daily living.
Since we have this assurance and hope, Paul
can say – “So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you
were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter” (2:15). Just pause and let that sink in. “We give thanks to God…He chose you
through the Spirit…called you through the Gospel to obtain the glory of Christ,
SO…stand firm!” He didn’t say, “so
take it easy, have a good time”; instead, stand in the faith you have received
and live it out day by day. The translation
we have used says stand firm and hold fast the “traditions” (ESV), but the Greek
word is “paradosis,” which is a combination of two words – “para” and “didomi”
– and means “a handing down (or over) of truth.” He’s talking about the teaching of the Apostles
that proclaims and applies the Gospel. The
teaching of the Apostles was a direct result of the revelation they received
from the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16), and we have received it through the faithful
transmission of that teaching through centuries of time. Every generation is responsible to “stand
firm and hold fast to the truth.” The false
teachers were – in part – successful at rattling them because they had
forgotten what Paul had previously instructed them. When we forget that the Bible is God’s
faithful transmission – handing down – of the truth of his wisdom, we most
certainly will be subject to the lies and deception of the evil one. One of the reasons I began to write this year-long
blog was a desire to faithfully give a record of the revelation given to us from
the Apostles. There are thousands of people
who have written to defend and to teach what the Scriptures bear witness to,
but unfortunately, we are living in a time where we see a decline in the
teaching of Scripture from pulpits all across our country. Platitudes and religious or pious works will
never replace the wisdom of studying the word of God.
It looks like Paul is done as he concludes
this section with a prayer of blessing – like a benediction, he adds –
“Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and
gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts
and establish them in every good work and word” (2:16-17).
What he had just admonished them to remember, he now prays that they will. Paul does not pray because he doubts their
desire, but because he knows we need God’s grace to do the things God calls us
to do. We have to grasp this love of God
that gives us hope through grace so that we can then do the will of God in
living. Trying to be religious, doing things by the power of our own fleshly
efforts is destined to lead to burnout and failure. It is only in and through Christ, by the
power of his sanctifying Spirit, that our faith is daily renewed, and we can
persevere.
The page turns, and we learn Paul is not
finished yet. There are two main things
he still has to say. First, he asks them
to pray for “us” – Paul, Timothy, Silas – that word of the Gospel would spread,
and that the enemy would be prevented from hindering the work God has called them
to do (3:1-5). He asks them to keep
praying for their church, to be protected from the onslaughts of the evil one,
and to keep their hearts and minds centered on Christ Jesus.
The second part is in verses 6 – 15. It
is a reminder, as well as a warning.
When the false letter that the Day of the Lord has already occurred
arrived some of the church stopped working, believing the end was near, and
failed to provide for their family’s needs.
Paul had written in the first letter that the letter was not from him,
and it was false, but they still did not work, and now he tells them they have
to be dealt with sternly. He begins with
–
“Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that
you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord
with the tradition that you received from us” (3:6). He reminds them that Paul,
and his team, gave them the example of working not to be a burden on others
(3:7-10). In the end, he returns to some
strong language –
“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” (3:11-12).
Their Idleness were leading them to be “busybodies” – to “meddle”, “run all
around,” someone who intrudes in other people’s lives without adding anything
to the life of the community except confusion and division. Paul’s instructions – short as they are –
remind us that work is never secular to a Christian. Work is sacred because it originated in the
creation order as a gift of God to be co-workers with God in his creation. While hard at times, work is not an
unnecessary burden, but a gift from God – “As for you, brothers, do not grow
weary in doing good” (3:13). Paul’s
instructions are not an opinion, but a command based on his Apostolic
authority. Eugene Peterson’s “The
Message” captures the pastoral and brotherly concern –
“If anyone refuses to obey our clear command written in this letter, don't
let him get by with it. Point out such a person and refuse to subsidize his
freeloading. Maybe then he'll think twice. But don't treat him as an
enemy. Sit him down and talk about the problem as someone who cares” (3:14-15).
Lastly, Paul
concludes this short letter with a threefold blessing –
“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way.
The Lord be with you all. I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand.
This is the sign of genuineness in every letter of mine; it is the way I write.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all” (3:16-18).
Like a Benediction, he speaks to them that “the Lord of peace give you
peace.” Peace in Greek is “Eirene”
(i-ray-nay), but the original Hebrew word that originates it was “Shalom.” Jesus is the Prince of peace – “He himself
is our peace, who by His cross reconciled Jews and Gentiles to each other,
through God, thus making peace” (Ephesians 2:13-14). Thus, Paul can add to this benediction – “the
Lord be with you all” – for it was God who brought them together in Christ
Jesus. Finally, he concludes – “the grace
of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.”
It was how he also ended the first letter to them, and it makes us
realize we’ve come full circle – Grace leads to Peace, and Peace leads the
Presence of the Lord in His grace, where we live as the people of God – the Church.
Wouldn’t this be
a great prayer for our church today? To
what kind of a church do we belong? To what
kind of a believer in the church do we aspire to be? In this church full of controversy and error,
God still comes through His word, and meets with us, his Spirit alive and at
work within us. The church is the place
where the “Word of the Lord is honored and obeyed, and Christ is worshipped as
the Lord of the Church.” It seems best
that we would respond with honor, worship, and obedience to His word, and in
return receive his grace, mercy, and peace.
Peace (Shalom)
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