Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith. But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil. And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you. And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ. Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us. For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing. And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all. The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen."
I know as a comment to yesterday's lesson I said there was nothing else that could be said that would make Paul's lesson in the third chapter of Thessalonians any plainer, and, as it pertains to the intent of the text, there is not. However, there is another lesson that can be taken from a part of what is said therein.
In this quote, Paul said, "Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us."
There are many today who understand this commandment to mean that a child of God can't be around anyone who is not a child of God themselves nor can they do anything that falls outside the restrictions of the original commandments. That contention is dead wrong.
We must remember that Jesus fulfilled every element of the Law for those of us whom have placed our faith in Him. God intends that His children live happy and enjoyable lives. He does not expect us to go through life with our heads down in submission while avoiding anyone who might not believe as we do. God never intended that we avoid everything that might bring a smile to our faces.Thank God for His amazing grace.
Most of what today's "Christianity" refers to as "sin", is not sin at all. Unless an act actually is intentionally done to hurt someone or is in direct disobedience to one of the great commandments, it is not sin. Jesus clearly explained what is involved in keeping the commandments during His ministry. When He was asked; "Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."
The last lines of that quote sum up this lesson, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. And thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
If everything we do is done within the parameters of these two commandments, we will have no sin charged to us before God.~
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