Brothers and sisters, do not be weary in doing what is right.” vs. 13
2 Thessalonians 3:9-13
Evidently a kind of malaise had taken over the congregation in Thessaloniki. There had been some ongoing persecution, but the primary problem was confusion about the coming return of Christ. Some were saying it had already happened, and a few had stopped working in anticipation that the day was close. Paul too believes that the return will be soon, but he admonishes the idle to get back to work. Much still needed to take place before the end would come. We may not be facing the same issues in our congregations–the belief in an imminent return of Christ has faded–but there’s still a problem of spiritual malaise. We can get weary of doing the same things over and over and begin to feel discouraged about life in general. Days come and go, weeks and years pass, and nothing seems to change. Some give up or drop out and their presence is missed in the company of believers. Paul encouraged his friends to simply keep on doing what is right and trust that their work is making a difference. Now, in this post-election confusion, there’s plenty for us to do–people are yearning for words of kindness and love. People are tired of the rancor and debate and are looking for signs of hope–and it’s here that people with Jesus-centered faith can lead the way in restoring morale. It’s certainly not a time for giving up on doing what is right!
Thought for the Day: When am I likely to feel like giving up?
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