1 Thess. 5:14; 2 Thess. 3:6-15, Body Life (2)

We mentioned yesterday the matter of reluctance on the part of many Christians in the matter of intentionally being involved in the lives of other believers.  Some of the reasons for this might include …

·        Busy-ness: “I just don’t have enough time what with work and family, etc.”

·        Ignorance: “I didn’t know this was my responsibility; and what am I supposed to do anyway?”

·        Fear: “What are people going to think or say if I stick my nose into their affairs?”

These are the kinds of ideas that need to be repented of.  If Christ has called us to be involved in the lives of fellow-believers than He must think that I have time for this along with the other priorities of my life, including work and family.  And if He has called us to this, and we don’t know where to start, then it simply means, as it does in every other essential part of life, that I must be willing to learn.  And I must remember that the fear of man brings a snare; but whosoever puts his trust in the LORD shall be safe (Prov. 29:25).

I. Warn those who are unruly.

Warn is the same word used in v12 translated admonish.  It is also used in 2 Thess. 3:15 which is a similar context.  In v12 it is the ministry of church leaders; in v14 it is the ministry of one believer to another.  In Rom. 15;14 Paul congratulated the people of that church for being able to admonish each other.  It obviously does not mean to buttonhole people and chew them out for unruly behavior; that in itself would be unruly.  It is, like every other form of teaching, to be done gently and in love (Eph. 4:15; 2 Tim. 2:23-26).

Unruly is a military term referring to a person who breaks ranks or is insubordinate.  In Greek culture it was used of those who refused to work for a living, the issue at Thessalonica on which Paul gives additional instruction in the second letter.  What are some things that can be taught from Scripture in this area?

·        Teach the relationships in which we are called to submit. 

o   Rom 8:7; 10:3; 1 Cor 15:27f; Eph 1:22; Phil 3:21; Heb 2:5,8; Jas 4:7; 1 Pt 3:22: all people to God.

o   Eph 5:22,24; Col 3:18; Titus 2:5; 1 Pt 3:1,5: wives to husbands.

o   1 Cor 14:34; 1 Tim 2:11: women in the church.

o   Luke 2:51; Heb 12;9; 1 Tim 3:4: children to parents.

o   Rom 13:1,5; Tit 3:1; 1Pt 2:13: citizens to gov't.

o   1 Cor 16:16; 1 Pet 5:5: church members to leaders.

o   Eph 5:21: church members to each other.

o   Titus 2:9; 1 Pt 2:18: slaves to masters.

o   1 Pt 2:13: Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake.

This is an important subject in Western culture so we will continue tomorrow.