Don't Grow Weary (2 Thessalonians)
This group of Christians has proven that they are sincere. This is the first step of faithfulness. Without sincerity, people won't adopt the sacrificial lifestyle the Bible calls for. They will act like they believe, but they will do what they really want to do when no one is looking.
In 2 Thessalonians, we find out that they are also seekers. That is, they are seeking to grow and become what God has called them to be. These Christians have been hard at work in the kingdom, and Paul urges them to keep pressing on. He doesn't want them to grow weary in the good work they are doing.
The key text is 2 Thess 3.13.
2 Thessalonians 3:13 (ESV) --- 13 As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good.
Many people are sincere in their religion, but not everyone is a seeker. Those of us who are seekers get burned out and discouraged. Not everyone seeks to please God and live up to what he has called them to become. Let's study this text together and see what Paul says the Thessalonians should do to avoid growing weary of doing good.
Still Thankful (1:1-4)
To begin, we have a typical greeting and a statement that shows their progression since the last letter.
2 Thessalonians 1:3--4 (ESV) --- 3 We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. 4 Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring.
The Thessalonians have been growing in faith and loving each other more and more, just like Paul told them to in the last letter. This is what seekers do. They want to do more. They are constantly striving to understand what else they can do to be effective in the kingdom. This group of Christians is so faithful that Paul brags about them to other congregations.
But it's not like their growth has been easy. Notice at the end of verse 4 that Paul points out the afflictions they are enduring. The afflictions haven't stunted their growth. They have stimulated it more and more. They are more steadfast and faithful than ever before because of their persecutions.
I think we tend to overlook the value of persecution. Persecution is supposed to light a fire inside of us. The world did not like them for their faith, so they grew a stronger faith and a bond with one another. That's what we need.
Vengeance is Coming (1:5-12)
Paul tells them that their faithfulness shows them that God's judgment comes in the next section. That seems like an odd connection to make, but he explains that God has chosen to afflict those who afflict them. They have received a small sample of the final judgment day as they have watched their persecutors suffer for their evil. Paul wants them to feel reassured that Jesus will come in judgment and provide eternal destruction. When that day comes, they will be glorified along with Christ if they remain faithful to the end.
At the end of this section, he talks about his prayer for them. It's common for Paul to pray for those he is writing to. He always wants God to work on their behalf.
2 Thessalonians 1:11--12 (ESV) --- 11 To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, 12 so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Notice that Paul wants God to "Fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power." What a great prayer! As the Christians think of work and resolve to do it, Paul wants God to fulfill their plans, glorify Jesus through them, and glorify them in Jesus. That's is such an excellent prayer.
Do we want God to fulfill every resolve for good and every good work of faith by his power? We often try to do something all by ourselves, and it fails, so we assume that we can't do anything. We remove God from the picture and wonder why evangelism doesn't work. We remove God from the picture and wonder why we aren't effectively using the gifts God has given us. Why aren't we praying for God to fulfill our resolve? I think I'm just too stubborn and proud to ask for his help and endure the difficulty with a resolve and a faith in God's working.
God gave the Thessalonians an indication that he was working with them, and Paul wanted them to see that and let it supercharge their efforts. They don't need to get discouraged. They need to look at what God is doing for them.
Deception Is Also Coming (2:1-14)
In Chapter 2, Paul again brings up the coming of Jesus in the final judgment. But he doesn't want them to be deceived into thinking that the judgment day has already happened and they missed it. When Jesus does come, he will indeed gather them to him, so they do not need to be shaken by liars who say otherwise. From this idea of liars coming in to deceive them, he tells them about a period of rebellion that will come before Jesus returns.
2 Thessalonians 2:3--5 (ESV) --- 3 Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, 4 who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. 5 Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things?
When we hear this, we might wonder who this man of lawlessness is. He is also called the "son of destruction who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God." This is a pretty detailed description of someone coming in and making themselves God. Debates have raged over who this man of lawlessness is. Some have even wondered if he is Adolf Hitler or someone else. But notice in verse 7 says, "The mystery of lawlessness is already at work." Adolf Hitler and other megalomaniacs fit this description, but the Thessalonians wouldn't care about that. Paul is not talking about them. This lawless one is using power and false signs to reinforce the rejection of Christ in those who live in Thessalonica and elsewhere throughout the first century.
2 Thessalonians 2:9--11 (ESV) --- 9 The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, 10 and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false,
All of those who are already perishing will believe this man. They refused to love the truth, and his work would make it even harder for them to believe. As they grow eviler, God will also work to send them a strong delusion so that he will stand justified in condemning them. They refused to believe the truth and "had pleasure in unrighteousness."
We need to understand that Satan is working in the hearts of men to pull them away from the truth and stop their work. For us, the man of lawlessness represents society's pull to idolatry and evil. Some will refuse to believe the truth, and they will grow more evil and hateful because God is sending them a strong delusion, just like Paul talked about in Romans 1. They have pleasure in unrighteousness, and they will suffer in the end.
Stand Firm (2:15-3:5)
But listen to Paul's encouragement for these brethren.
2 Thessalonians 2:15--17 (ESV) --- 15 So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter. 16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, 17 comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.
Paul wants them to know that God is with them, giving them comfort and establishing their hearts for every good work.
Chapter 3 ends this section by asking for their prayers in this hostile environment. He needs their prayers to do the work that God has given him to do amid evil men.
2 Thessalonians 3:1--5 (ESV) --- 1 Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, 2 and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one. 4 And we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command. 5 May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.
Our goal should be to have hearts directed to the love of God and the steadfastness of Christ. How are we going to point our hearts in that direction? Notice verse 5 says, "May the Lord direct your heart." God will have to work in us to direct our hearts toward righteousness and love. I typically think about this as something I need to do, but God does it. We need to pray for this as well to stand our ground and be faithful.
Warning Against Idleness (3:6-15)
The last section of the book is about keeping away from those who aren't working. He wants the workers to hang out with other workers and stay away from the idle. The idle didn't learn that from Paul, Silas, or Timothy. They are losing their grip on their calling. Some in the Thessalonian church do nothing. They are just sitting around waiting for the Lord's return.
2 Thessalonians 3:11--15 (ESV) --- 11 For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. 12 Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. 13 As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good. 14 If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. 15 Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.
Notice that he tells them to warn these brethren that they are becoming evil. We aren't here to relax and take it easy. That is not the calling we have received. We have all been given gifts and abilities to be used for God's glory. That should be our desire. Those who are doing nothing should be "taken note of and avoided so that they feel ashamed."
This seems kind of harsh. But notice that Paul is talking about people who refuse to work for their food. It's not right that some be burdened and others do nothing. If will not work, they can't share in the blessings. I imagine some couldn't work in Thessalonica. Maybe their conversion has taken away their trade through persecution or just as a part of them repenting from idolatrous practices. But these men were expected to work at something. It's not okay to wander around aimlessly. They can find something to do with their hands. Paul, Silas, and Timothy set the example for them to follow.
Paul tells them not to grow weary in doing good. It's so easy to grow weary in doing good for people when they take advantage of you. We have had our share of imposters walk through these doors. Some people come in here looking for a handout when they could be working. They claim to be Christians and claim that they will surely come to worship services again in the future. If they are Christians, they should be working with their own hands. But just because there are con artists out there does not mean that we should grow weary of doing good for people.
Application
This letter is all about encouraging faithfulness. Paul tells them that they provide a tremendous example in their faithfulness for all Christians everywhere (1:3-4). Then, he tells them that God is with them and will deliver them from evil men and direct their hearts to greater faithfulness (3:1-5). What does that have to do with us?
Becoming Examples of Faithfulness
Are we examples of faithfulness? Is this church striving to become what other churches need to see? Do we grow weary in doing good, or are we pressing on in faith? That's the life that is worthy of the calling God has given them. That's the life that we should be living. If we aren't there, why not?
Have we grown weary of doing good? People will take advantage of our mercy and love, but success is not measured in physical growth. It is measured in spiritual growth. We need greater faith in what we don't see. What we see will be transformed if we believe that God is working to fulfill every resolve.
Or is it because we are comfortable? I think it's easy to be satisfied by comparing ourselves to others. We think, "We are doing more than those Christians so I'm happy with that." When did other churches become our standard? If there is a great church doing more than us, let's follow their example. But our ultimate goal is to grow past them. Our goal is to become the church other churches emulate. We want to build up the kingdom of God to his glory. I'm afraid that our standard is sinking lower and lower to be like the world.
Why not be what God calls us to be? We need to be sincere seekers. We need to be seeking to do God's will in everything we do. But it's too hard. There are too many grumpy people who try to stop us from growing spiritually. I know. But how can we grow past that? That's where the second part of our application comes into play.
Trusting In The Lord
Paul says that these Christians are abounding in faith and love. How do we do that? Do we need to work really hard? If we are idle, we need to understand that the process begins with getting up and doing something. But ultimately, our growth is about God's work. Listen to these verses again.
2 Thessalonians 1:11--12 (ESV) --- 11 To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, 12 so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Thessalonians 2:16--17 (ESV) --- 16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, 17 comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.
2 Thessalonians 3:3 (ESV) --- 3 But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.
2 Thessalonians 3:5 (ESV) --- 5 May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.
Do we get the idea? We can't abound in faith and love without God. We can be men and women who have great faith to move mountains, but that doesn't mean that we are doing it ourselves. We are relying on the Lord. Our world is telling us to do this ourselves. Please don't be deceived. We can't do it ourselves. If we try, we will fail and end up discouraged. We need the Lord. Let every work begin with prayer.
Proverbs 3:5 (ESV) --- 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
Conclusion
God wants sincere seekers. He is working all things for the good of those who sincerely seek to please him. We need to pray for him to fulfill our resolve for good works that glorify Jesus.