(2Th 3:14)“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. (15)  Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.” The idea here is to bring a professing disobedient believer to the path of obedience to God’s Word. It is not just staying away from such a one; but lovingly admonishing their disobedience to God. To do so lovingly rather than indignantly, is to say we still love you but choose God rather than man. The loving attitude says we are ready always to bring them back into fellowship.

(2Th 3:13) “But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.”  We have only one true purpose in this life – the glorification of He Who saved us! We are to spend and be spent for Him. Will it cost you time? Yes. Will it cost you effort? Yes. In a “me” society these thoughts certainly go against our nature. But the Lord has plainly said in His Word: (1Co 6:20)“For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” Growing weary? Today may be the last day you have to do well in His Name!

(2 Th 3:11c) “…..but are busybodies.  (12)  Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.”  To obey is to work to change habits one has developed, maybe even natural tendencies. We each have such that we need to change in order to please the Lord. Is this easy? No. Is it possible? Yes, by depending upon the Spirit of God to help. The Lord is worth it! Remember, Lord means “right to rule over me”.

(2Th 3:11)“For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.”  There are those who seek to meddle in the affairs of others. Our pride makes us think we know the best way to do all things, that our taste is the only good taste, and we judge the world through those eyes. Doesn’t that thinking go against, “Esteem other better than yourselves” (Phil 2:3).The Lord calls such a practice, “disorderly”. God help us to recognize pride in ourselves and protect others from it!

 (2Th 3:9)  “Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.”  As an Apostle, Paul had the right to expect his needs to be met by the church (1 Timothy 5:18). Yet, he did not for he had discovered a problem among them and had addressed it in his first letter: (2Th_3:10) “For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.”  Listen, doing the Lord’s work does not negate your responsibility to your family.

(2Th 3:8)  “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:”   One thing we should learn from this verse is that everlasting life, escape from Hell, Sonship through Adoption, forgiveness of sins, the Gift of the Holy Spirit, cannot be bought at any price. It cannot be earned by any efforts on our part. The standard for heaven is perfection of life. The Bible proclaims “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”. It can only be received by humble repentance of sin and asking for God’s mercy. Jesus paid it all!

(2Th 3:8)  “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:”  The motivation for this man of God was not physical gain. It was the good of others. That “good” begins with the soul. Sad: many times we will bend over backwards to meet a physical need. The lost will always be happy with that effort. But we won’t speak to them regarding their greatest need – their soul. We know they will not always receive that so readily. New mindset – be willing to suffer in order to tell others of their soul’s need.  

(2Th 3:6)  “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. (7)  For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;”  In essence, Paul is penning, “Follow me as I follow the Lord.” We are to encourage other believers to follow our Lord and to live such a life before them. There is no such thing as “Don’t do as I do; do better.”  Let us walk together as lights shining in a world of darkness.

(2Th 3:6)  “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.”  The second purpose of not fellowshipping with one who professes the Lord yet will not do right, is that such a life brings shame to the Name of the Lord and unbelief to the lost. They view such a person and think there is nothing to Christianity but religious practice. No! The Spirit of God lives inside the truly saved. They have the power of the highest in them to live lives of victory over sin! True Christianity is a walking, talking, living relationship where the saved loves the Lord first and foremost and his life reflects it.

(2Th 3:6)  “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.”  Adding to what was said yesterday regarding withdrawing from one who says they are saved yet walks disorderly, is the importance of Christ’s reputation. The only evidence that salvation is real is the changed life of the professing Believer. If you think like the lost and act like a lost person – chances are you are a lost person. They will conclude the same, in their minds making Christianity a sham.