2 Thessalonians 3
2 Thessalonians 3:1-18
1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you,
2 and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith.
3 But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.
4 And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you.
5 Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.
6 But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us.
7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you;
8 nor did we eat anyone’s bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you,
9 not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us.
10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.
11 For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies.
12 Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.
13 But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good.
14 And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed.
15 Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
16 Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all.
17 The salutation of Paul with my own hand, which is a sign in every epistle; so I write.
18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
“Now may the Lord move your hearts into a greater understanding of God’s pure love for you and into Christ’s steadfast endurance.” 2 Thessalonians 3:5 TPT
God has been reinforcing His love to me as of late. The devil has waged war on what love is, and the world has perverted it so far, it’s hard to even recognize now. But God IS love. Everything He did and will do stems from love. He loved so much He gave and continues to give! We cannot get this wrong. The love of God is the foundation that makes the rest of the gospel work!!!
There is an order in the body that enables the flowing of the Word in love by grace. To be in submission to the Spirit is to be in alignment with what He establishes in this order and the authority that administrates it. From Him is received a heart that is no longer only thinking about itself, but is directed into His love, where great effort is given to ensuring no imposition is made on another and working diligently to be a blessing instead. This, apparently, is not an optional consideration to be adhered to if convenient but is a requisite to fellowship with the family of God. Allowing even a bit of laziness and dishonor of each other is grounds for being ostracized in order to keep those anti-love symptoms from spreading. So, much effort must be given to diligent and hard work as evidence of God’s loving new creation. This is a command, not a suggestion. Weariness in this indicates separation from the Source of strength in some way, from the joy of the Lord that will strengthen continually in the sharing of His love. This is a work that only He can complete, but there is a need for intentional pursuit of Him in laying down self needs for what will build up the body,