Working while you Wait

Read 2 Thessalonians 3.

The Bible honors hard, productive work from Genesis to Revelation.  When God completed His creation, we are told He rested "from all his work that he had done" (Genesis 2:2).  Then, in Genesis 3, the Lord put man to work.  The night before the crucifixion, Jesus prayed, "I have glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do." (John 17:4)

In every chapter of his first letter to this church and in the first two chapters of this second letter, the Apostle Paul encouraged them that Jesus is coming again.  For followers of Christ, it will be a time of relief and reward.  Hebrews 3 calls it a time of rest.  Revelation 14:13 describes the death of Christ followers as a "rest from their labors."

Apparently, some in the Thessalonian church decided sit and wait for the Lord's return.  Acting in such a pseudo-spiritual way, they depended upon the mercy of others to care for them.  Paul was swift in his response and commanded that this stop (v.6).  Laziness is not a godly behavior!  Busyness and activity is not necessarily godly behavior either.  Once we come to personally know the Lord, we have been gifted and given opportunity to fulfill His assignment for us.  Knowing that life is short at best, we are to work diligently on God's agenda in every place He has placed us while we can.  Jesus made this comparison: "We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work." (John 9:4)

So, while we all have different assignments in life, there are three things Paul mentions here that everyone is to be actively doing while we work and wait.

1. Be Prayerful. (vv.1-2)
Two prayer requests are given that applies to every believer in every place.  First, ask God to "speed" the powerful effectiveness of His word as it is preached, taught, and shared.  It was belief in the message of Jesus that changed their lives and can have the same result in every one who believes.  Second, pray for God's protection.  Whenever the gospel goes forth there will be satanic opposition.

2. Be Faithful. (vv.3-5)
We learn this from God's faithfulness to us.  The Holy Spirit grounds the minds and hearts of those who submit themselves to Him.  This is the source of our confidence in God's word and His power to overcome evil by standing firm in "the steadfastness of Christ."

3. Be Careful. (vv.6-15)
There are certain people and contrary teachings from which we are to stay away.  Our lives are on display before unbelievers.  They watch to see if what we say we believe is genuine.  "...aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one" (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12).