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Paul had to deal with church discipline with the
Thessalonians for a second time. The
main issue was people who’d erroneously believed Christ’s return was imminent
and who’d sold everything. Now they
weren’t wanting to work, but just to live off the church.
Elsewhere, Paul had addressed personal differences between
Christians. The solution had always been
going to the person directly rather
than involving the church. “Another
mistake is in trying to win an argument
instead of trying to win the sinning
brother,” my commentary said.
Other causes of church problems include doctrinal errors, a believer
overtaken by sin, a repeating troublemaker, and open immorality by a
believer. Paul gave sound advice for
dealing with each of them here.
In verse 14, Paul is talking only about the matter of
Christians not working for a living
and sponging off the church, and he urges that we “take note of them, have nothing
to do with them, so they will feel ashamed.
But do not treat them as enemies. Warn
them as fellow believers.”
My commentary added, “For obedient saints to treat
disobedient Christians with the same friendship they show to other dedicated
saints is to give approval to their sins.”
It also asked this pertinent question of all
Christians: “Are you a part of the peace of the church or part of a war in the church?”
Father, please help me to gain valuable insight from these
words. Give me wisdom in dealing with my
fellow Christians. Help me to be part of
the solution and not part of the
problem.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
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