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CHRISTIANITY OASIS
DAILY BREAD DEVOTIONAL
BUSYBODIES
CHRISTIANITY
OASIS HAS PROVIDED YOU WITH THIS STUDY OF BUSYBODIES. MANY HAVE
HEARD OF THE TERM BUSYBODIES BUT MOST ARE NOT AWARE OF WHAT A
BUSYBODY REALLY IS AND HOW BEING A BUSYBODY CAN AFFECT YOUR
CHRISTIAN WALK. LET US SEEK AND FIND THE TRUTH OF A BUSYBODY TOGETHER, SHALL WE?
THE SECOND EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE TO THE
THESSALONIANS
CHAPTER 3
It’s wonderful having you back again at Daily Bread to study this last
chapter in Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians. Last time, Paul warned not to
believe false teachers. Let’s see how Paul concludes his letter to the
Thessalonians now, shall we?
Finally, brethren,
pray for us, that the Word of the Lord may be freely spoken, and be
glorified, just as it is with you, and that we may be delivered from
unreasonable and wicked men: because all men are not faithful. But the Lord
is faithful, who shall strengthen you, and keep you from evil.
We have confidence
in the Lord touching you, that you both do and will do the things which we
command you. And may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and
into the patient waiting for Christ.
Now we command
you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw
yourselves (stay away) from every brother that walks disorderly, and not
after the tradition which he received from us. You yourselves know how you
ought to imitate us. We didn’t behave ourselves irresponsibly among you,
neither did we eat any man's bread for free; but worked with labor and
travail night and day, that we might not be costly to any of you. Not
because we have not power, but to make ourselves an example to you to follow
us. Even when we were with you, we taught you this, that if anybody would
not work, neither should he eat.
We hear that there
are some among you that are irresponsible, not working at all, but are
busybodies. Now, them that are doing this, we command and exhort by our Lord
Jesus Christ, that they work with quietness (discreetly), and eat their own
bread.
But you, brethren,
don’t get tired of doing good. And if any man doesn’t obey our word by this
epistle, note that man, and don’t associate with him, so that he may be
ashamed. Yet don’t count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
Now the Lord of
peace Himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.
The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every
epistle: so I write. The
Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
Paul’s focus in this concluding chapter seems to be on staying away from
busybodies. How many times have you heard the saying, Idle hands are the
devil’s workshop? Well, people who have nothing to do, tend to mind other
people’s business instead of their own, and we’ve all done it, and seen it,
too many times. A person who doesn’t have a focus in their lives, is a prime
target for the devil to work through. Paul goes as far as to say, don’t keep
company with these people, so that they’ll be ashamed, and warn them as a
brother. That’s very important, to warn them with love, because embarrassing
someone to humiliate them instead of to bring them truth can cause terrible
damage instead of enlightenment, which is the purpose.
And a little
advice from an old Walt Disney movie called Bambi, A rabbit named Thumper
was quoting his momma," If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything
at all" ... If being a busybody is a habit you have, break it. If there’s
anyone who admires you for talking about someone else, you really don’t need
the attention that badly now, do you? Now, if you’re not a crybaby, and you
made it through this paragraph without pouting, you did good.
Speaking of doing
good, Paul says, Don’t get tired of doing good. I promise you this, you
won’t ever get tired of the rewards that you’ll get for doing good, but the
alternative will make you weary beyond belief.
Congratulations on
completing another study of the New Testament. There’s a lot more exciting
studies ahead, so be sure and come back soon for Paul’s first epistle to
Timothy, right here at Daily Bread. God Bless.
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IF you believe
that JESUS CHRIST is working in this Ministry and you have
felt the presence of the HOLY SPIRIT:
PROVE HIS PROMISE
OF BLESSINGS
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