2 Thessalonians 3 - How Do Christians Confuse Grace with Enabling Bad Behavior?

Click Here to Read or Listen to 2 Thessalonians 3

Request for Prayer

3 As for other matters, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. 2 And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people, for not everyone has faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. 4 We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. 5 May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.

As we close out Paul's second letter to the Thessalonians, he requests prayer and also gives them some encouragement. Paul's greatest desire for prayer is always related to the spreading of the gospel. He realizes that for people to come to faith it needs to undergirded in prayer. As they seek to spread the gospel they will meet wicked and evil people the devil will try to use to dissuade, distract, and discourage them. He knows that the Thessalonians will face a similar spiritual battle because they too are living lives which will draw people faith in Christ. The devil doesn't spend much time around lukewarm Christians, but focuses on Christians who have potential to do the most damage to his earthly kingdom. 

Remember the devil is not omnipresent like God is. He and his minions can't be everywhere at once. Although he has influence over the systems of the world, it is only temporary. One day when Jesus returns his power and authority will be gone forever. But in the meantime, we contend with principalities and powers of this spiritual darkness. 

But as the apostle John says, "Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world." 1 John 4:4

God promised to keep Satan on a leash. He will not allow any temptation to become too great for us (1 Corinthians 10:13), and will not allow Satan to do whatever he wants with us (Luke 22:31-32). - Guzik

Most importantly Paul says that God is faithful. Paul's ultimate confidence in what God was doing in the church of Thessalonica was their dependence on God. Paul knew God would never let them down, as they trusted in Him. 

Warning Against Idleness

6 In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching[a] you received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, 8 nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. 9 We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate. 10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.” 11 We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies. 12 Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat. 13 And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.14 Take special note of anyone who does not obey our instruction in this letter. Do not associate with them, in order that they may feel ashamed. 15 Yet do not regard them as an enemy, but warn them as you would a fellow believer.

Some of the believers had rationalized that since Jesus was coming soon it didn't really matter what they did with their time. They became lazy and entitled. Paul points to his example that when they were with them, they worked hard and paid their own way. This is not because they didn't have a right for the church to provide for them, but they wanted to set an example that the Thessalonians would follow. 

Paul gave them a rule to live by in their community which was, "Whoever is unwilling to work doesn't get to eat!" That will put a stop to laziness right there. In our world of entitlement perhaps there is a lesson in there for us. In addition to their idleness some of these people became disruptive. When all you do is to sit around all day, idle hands are the devil's playground. 

The idleness of some had become a source of sin. It was not only because of the work that they didn’t do, but also because of the harm they did do with their idle time (but are busybodies). Perhaps these busybodies thought that if Jesus was coming soon, it made no sense to work. It would then be easy for them to intrude into the lives of others and take advantage of Christian generosity. - Guzik

Finally, Paul gives them an encouragement and an admonition. He encourages them never to tire of doing good. Paul knew there would be times we all tire of doing good things for God and others.  

“But well doing consists in taking down the shutters and selling your goods; tucking up your shirt sleeves and doing a good day’s work; sweeping the carpets and dusting the chairs, if you happen to be a domestic servant. Well doing is attending to the duties that arise out of our relationships in life – attending carefully to them, and seeing that in nothing we are eye-servers and men-pleasers, but in everything are seeking to serve God.” (Spurgeon)

For those who disrespected these guidelines, Paul tells them to not associate with them. This is not to be mean or humiliate them, but with the hope of setting boundaries for unhealthy people. The goal of these boundaries would be to confront bad and lazy behavior. Unfortunately the church is often good at enabling bad behavior on the grounds of Jesus would want us always to be nice or always forgiving.

 Of course we are to forgive, but if someone has no intention of repenting from their bad behavior it is helpful to not confront them in love. We always have to ask ourselves, "What is the TRULY LOVING thing to do?"

How do Christians confuse grace with enabling bad behavior? Why is tough love important to help people out of laziness and entitling behavior? Paul did it. Jesus did it. Why don't we do it?