Don’t Give Up

I Thessalonians 5:17 commands, “Pray without ceasing.”    II Thessalonians 3:1-2 describes some of the things we should be praying about.  “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.”  We need to pray for our teachers and leaders, that they will be able to speak the word of God in such a way that people will understand and accept it as God’s word, rather than just man’s statements.  We also need to pray for protection from illogical and evil attacks because many people have allowed Satan to control their minds and have no understanding of what is right and good. 

While we are going to have trials and persecutions as Christians, we have no need to be afraid, either of the attacks or that we will fail and fall into sin.   II Thessalonians 3:3-5 reminds us, “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.”    I Peter 1:5 tells us we “…are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”  We can depend on God to guide us day by day.  John 16:13 tells us, “… when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth,” and we will be able to understand it because as I Corinthians 2:16 tells us, “we have the mind of Christ.”  

Unfortunately, human beings have a tendency to adopt the attitudes and practices of those with whom they associate.  II Thessalonians 3:6 warns, “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.”  We need to disassociate from those who will not do what the scriptures teach.  If we do not, we may well go along with their sin instead of following Christ. 

Paul and his associates had set an example before the people, according to II Thessalonians 3:7-9.  “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.”  Though they were involved in full time ministry, and deserved payment for it, they had supported themselves to set a proper example for the people to follow.    

While we are told to help the poor and feed the hungry, we need to be careful in how we do it.  II Thessalonians 3:10-12 instructs, “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.”  We need to be careful that we do not leave the impression that if we are serving God we don’t need to make any effort to support ourselves.  I Timothy 5:8 warns, “But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.”  If a person will not make the effort to support himself or his family, he has in effect turned his back on God, rejecting what God said in Genesis 3:19.  “In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.”  He is worse than an infidel because he knows what God said and refuses to obey.

While we have a responsibility to help widows and orphans, we are limited in what we can do.  I Timothy 5:16 instructs, “If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed. “  The church should not be expected to take responsibility for those who can get help elsewhere.   If we try to help everyone who wants it we exhaust ourselves and our resources and end up unable to help those who really need it.   II Thessalonians 3:13-14 warns against burning ourselves out.  “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.”   Instead of allowing ourselves to get discouraged trying to help everyone, we need to take note of those who are not doing their part and stop supporting them, encouraging them to take responsibility for themselves.  We will be far less discouraged when we do things God’s way instead of copying others.