2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 The day of Jesus returning seemed to be coming soon for some of the Thessalonians, this week even, so why bother working? Why bother doing good? It wouldnt matter in the end anyway! If the test is tomorrow and the world ends today because of Jesus instead of a bomb, why study? There is no purpose for it, no personal gain. As long as it is trust in rewards that is shaping our actions, we need rules to get people to work; we need threats, or a bribe. But with the coming of Jesus we know a different way. By Gods mercy and through the Holy Spirit, God has made us good and created in us a new heart. Living in this new creation we trust a new goodness in us by which we can work so that others are fed and our neighbors needs are met. Work is not just for our benefit or to impress God in the hope of rewards. We work for the sake of loving others as we are empowered in this new expression of faith working in love. Our Father, we are tempted to think only of ourselves, and when we do, we do not care for others. Fill us with faith in Jesus, so that his love freely given to us becomes the love we give to others. Love will get us to care for others for their sake, even if the day comes tomorrow. Today our neighbor still needs your love and our help. Amen. Timothy Hoyer Pastor, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Lakewood, N.Y.; Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Falconer, N.Y. Doctor of Ministry, 2009 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 (NRSV) 6 Now we command you, beloved, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from believers who are living in idleness and not according to the tradition that they received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; we were not idle when we were with you, 8 and we did not eat anyones bread without paying for it; but with toil and labor we worked night and day, so that we might not burden any of you. 9 This was not because we do not have that right, but in order to give you an example to imitate. 10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: Anyone unwilling to work should not eat. 11 For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work. 12 Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. 13 Brothers and sisters, do not be weary
Posted on: Wed, 13 Nov 2013 12:06:01 +0000