"An Example to Imitate"

2 Thessalonians 3:6-13. 

Nov. 17, 2013

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     Now we command you, beloved, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from believers who are living in idleness and not according to the tradition that they received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; we were not idle when we were with you, and we did not eat anyone’s bread without paying for it; but with toil and labor we worked night and day, so that we might not burden any of you. This was not because we do not have that right, but in order to give you an example to imitate. For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: Anyone unwilling to work should not eat. For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work. Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. Brothers and sisters, do not be weary in doing what is right.

***

     The fog hung heavy and thick as I drove my red mini-cooper south on County Road 6 yesterday.  I was headed to the nursing home in Renville to visit with a family who had just lost a loved one.  The midday fog blocked the usual view of farmland spreading out for miles to the north, south, east and west.  I saw only the road directly in front of me, telephone poles to my right and left, headlights from approaching vehicles, and dark shapes of trees and buildings.

     But I wasn’t afraid.

     I have traveled that stretch of road many times. And I know the way.  I know the road is straight, paved, and mostly flat or gently sloping. I know the intersections I pass as I head to highway 212. And that I will not encounter streetlights or stop signs along the three and a half mile trek.  I know to watch out for slow-moving farm vehicles, trailers with wide loads, and big trucks hauling beets, beans, or corn.  I know when the speed limit will drop from 55 to 30 as I near the town.  And to be cautious as I approach the railroad tracks, as there are no flashing lights, dinging bells, or black and white gates that lower when trains rumble by.

      In the fog, I relied on my memory of the familiar journey; in fact, the car seemed to be driving itself!  My thoughts were on the grieving family and bringing them comfort and hope. I never once thought that I might not make it safely to my destination!

      And, in seemingly no time at all, I was pulling into the nursing home parking lot, pausing to pray before leaving my car. I didn’t worry about anything. I trusted the Spirit to guide me and that the Lord was with me in this work of love. 

     Later, on my way home, I thought how good it is when Christians experience the peace of knowing the Lord is with us and that our work is His work—what God is leading and empowering us to do. We can trust the Lord with all of our days, though the road may be unfamiliar—and we can’t see what lies ahead.

      We can trust Him, knowing how God wants us to live in this in-between time, walking by His Word and Spirit, watching and waiting for Our Savior’s return.  Trusting and trying with all heart, mind and might. And never growing weary of doing what is right.

 ***

     As we read today’s Epistle lesson, we learn how the church of Thessalonica is struggling with life in this in-between time—after the Resurrection of our Lord and before Christ comes again.  Earlier in Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians, he tells them that he gives thanks to God for them and boasts of their steadfastness and faith as they endure persecution and suffering.  He assures them that their trials will make them “worthy of the kingdom of God” and are “evidence” of God’s righteous judgment of their persecutors. 

     He tells them not to be “shaken in mind or alarmed” at the thought of Christ’s return and “our being gathered together to him.”  The apostle asks the Thessalonians to pray for him, Silas and Timothy so that “the word of the Lord may spread rapidly” and that they may be “rescued from wicked and evil people.” He assures them that he and the other apostles are confident that the Thessalonians will go on doing the things that Paul and the others command.

    Finally, in today’s reading, Paul gets to the main point of this letter—the concern about which he has already written to them in his first letter to the Thessalonians!  He has heard that some of them have been “living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work.” This may be due to a misunderstanding of his teachings on the Second Coming of Christ and the life we are called to live as Christians in this present world. 

     Back in the year 49 or so, when Paul wrote this letter—the very oldest letter we have of Paul’s—fewer than 20 years have passed since Christ's crucifixion. The Thessalonians expect Jesus to come within their lifetimes; every day, they wonder, “Is this the day?” Some people quit their jobs and abandon their responsibilities as they await His return.

      But Paul commands the church to keep away from these believers living in idleness as they are also unruly, disturbing the peace of the entire faith community.   They aren’t serving the Lord, sharing the love of Christ, or helping people in need; they aren’t even taking care of themselves—and it is not because they are unable to work or that work is not available.

      Paul and the other apostles work hard to earn their own living and not be a burden to anyone.  He has learned to be a tentmaker, a leatherworker—and it is this labor that supports him throughout his missionary journeys.  While earning one’s own living is not required for those who are full-time workers for the Lord, Paul says he works to give them “an example to imitate.” 

     He doesn’t say this because he believes he is the perfect example of a Christian and that we will only be saved if we are perfect Christians, too.  Paul teaches in one of his later letters, in II Corinthians, that God’s grace is sufficient for us! And that God’s power is made perfect in our weakness; therefore Paul says he will boast of his weaknesses, through which God’s strength is revealed and more people may come to know the Lord.

          I believe what Paul is really saying to the church at Thessalonica is “follow me as I seek to follow Jesus Christ.” This second letter to the Thessalonians builds on the teachings in the first.  In I Thessalonians, Paul praises the church because they have become “imitators of us and the Lord, for in spite of persecution you received the word with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all …”

***

      Brothers and sisters, let us live as Christ calls us to live in this in-between time—as we await His Second Coming. 

     Let us, with God’s help, be an “example to imitate”— so the world will see Christ in us and more people may come to know Him.

    How good it is when we have no doubt or fear!  When we have the peace of knowing the Lord is with us and that our work is what He is leading and empowering us to do. With God’s help, we can follow in Christ’s self-giving ways. Trusting and trying with all heart, mind and might. Never growing weary of doing what is right.

Let us pray.

Holy One, thank you for giving us your living Word, Jesus Christ, our perfect example to imitate.  Forgive us for our many sins, for not always living as you call us to live in this in-between time.  Prepare our hearts and minds as we await Christ’s return for His church. Help us to be more like Him, seeking to follow Him every day, though the road we travel may be unfamiliar, and we are not able to see what lies ahead.  Equip and lead us to do the work you have ordained for us to do. Help us to care for our neighbors in need and minister to those who grieve the loss of loved ones. Teach us to trust in you to be with us and care for us now and forever. And may the light of Christ shine through us so all the world may see and come to know Your love, your forgiveness, your grace. Amen.