December 7 - II Thessalonians 1-3
Paul writes this short letter to the believers in Thessalonica to clear up some confusion and some misunderstanding. It seems that some people had made a deliberate attempt to confuse them about the Second Coming of Christ, and then, it seems that they did not know what to do about people who had quit working to wait for Christ to come. Isn't it terrible to encounter Christians who are confused to the point that their lives are disoriented to God? It creates doubts and ineffectiveness. This is never God's will for us. God does not want us to live in confusion. Today, we have God's complete Word, the Bible, and His indwelling Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth. We must allow the Lord to teach us and to lead us to maturity and out of confusion.
The problem with the Second Coming was that some people were teaching them that it had already happened. (2:2) Paul reminded them of what he had taught them earlier. The lawless one, the Anti-Christ, must be revealed and the restraining influence, must be removed before the coming of the Lord, and those things had not happened, even though lawlessness was at work even then. Paul urged them to find the comfort of the Lord and to be assured of their salvation. They were not going to miss the coming of the Lord. We all need to be ready by living a holy life, but none of God's children will be left out when Jesus returns.
Then, Paul tells them bluntly what to do with those who had stopped working to wait for Christ. Don't feed them, because those who don't work should not eat. (3:10) They are brothers, not enemies, but they should be admonished instead of enabled to do the wrong thing by being lazy. (3:15) These are general principles which apply to many situations in the church today. We must speak the truth in love to those who are confused or to those who are taking advantage of God's goodness and mercy.
Tomorrow, I intend to read I Timothy 1-6.
The problem with the Second Coming was that some people were teaching them that it had already happened. (2:2) Paul reminded them of what he had taught them earlier. The lawless one, the Anti-Christ, must be revealed and the restraining influence, must be removed before the coming of the Lord, and those things had not happened, even though lawlessness was at work even then. Paul urged them to find the comfort of the Lord and to be assured of their salvation. They were not going to miss the coming of the Lord. We all need to be ready by living a holy life, but none of God's children will be left out when Jesus returns.
Then, Paul tells them bluntly what to do with those who had stopped working to wait for Christ. Don't feed them, because those who don't work should not eat. (3:10) They are brothers, not enemies, but they should be admonished instead of enabled to do the wrong thing by being lazy. (3:15) These are general principles which apply to many situations in the church today. We must speak the truth in love to those who are confused or to those who are taking advantage of God's goodness and mercy.
Tomorrow, I intend to read I Timothy 1-6.