Thesis: To teach the hearer more fully concerning the matter of church discipline, and how the Lord Jesus already has made all of the necessary decisions for His people concerning this necessary ordinance.
Text: 2 Thess 3:6-15
2Th 3:6 Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away (withdraw yourselves) from any brother who is walking (disorderly) in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us.
2Th 3:7 For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle (disorderly) when we were with you,
2Th 3:8 nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you.
2Th 3:9 It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate.
2Th 3:10 For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.
2Th 3:11 For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies.
2Th 3:12 Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.
2Th 3:13 As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good.
2Th 3:14 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.
2Th 3:15 Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.
Introduction,
We will be looking at the final part of 2 Thessalonians today (3:6-15; not including the benediction; 3:16-17), the entire epistle can be broken down into 3 basic divisions. . .
1) Comfort, 2) Caution, 3) Command.
Chapter 1 - “Comfort” (don’t be overly concerned in your suffering for the cause of Christ, at the 2nd coming all debts will be settled).
Chapter 2 - “Caution” (don’t think that the coming of the Lord will be immediate, the falling away has to take place first).
Chapter 3 - “Command” (Live your lives according to the commands of Christ, and those that do not, need to be disciplined so that they may be recovered).
When it comes to the doctrine of Christ, and violations thereof which should result in church discipline, there is a growing trend to handle things according to human wisdom (1 Cor 1:25-27), instead of according to the power of God, the gospel (Rom 1:16).
We can see basically the same thing happening concerning the work, the worship, and the organization of the church; men are looking to themselves instead of God, as if God has given them authority to change anything in any of these matters.
Yet the bible teaches that Jesus has been given “all authority in heaven and on earth” (Mt 28:18), and that includes matters concerning His church, for He is the head over all things to the church (Eph 1:22), and He has not, nor ever will, relinquish one iota concerning His rule over His kingdom, while this earth remains, and those that don’t submit to His sovereign rule simply are not His, for they prove they do not truly love Him (Jn 14:24, they have lost their candlestick (lamp-stand) as warned of in Rev 2-3.
And He exercises His God given authority through the rightly divided NT, the Father gave Him the words (John 12:49), He gave them the apostles and NT prophets (John 17:8; Gal 1:12; Eph 3:3-5), and they wrote the words down inspired of God (2 Tim 3:16; 2 Pet 1:20-21), and they are the only standard by which we are to be united as one (John 17:20-21); man made creeds, catechisms, confessions, or prayer books are not acceptable, the plain and understandable NT (Eph 3:4) of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ can be our only source of authority, for by it “we must” live (John 6:63), for by it “we will” be judged (John 12:48; Rom 2:16; Rev 20:12).
Therefore in our text today, we will look at one instance of this legislation of our God for the church concerning the matter of discipline, and how it brings forth . . .
1) NT “Authority” (2 Thess 3:6)
2) NT “Example” (2 Thess 3:7-9)
3) NT “Admonishment or “Warning” (2 Thess 3:10-15)
I. NEW TESTAMENT “AUTHORITY” (2 Thess 3:6)
A. (v 6)
2Th 3:6 Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away (withdraw yourselves) from any brother who is walking (disorderly) in idleness and not in accord with (after) the tradition that you (they) received from us.
Note first that the apostle sets forth his source of authority, “our Lord Jesus Christ” Jesus has been given all authority at this present time (Mt 28:18) . . .
Mat 28:18 And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Now concerning how this authority is exercised, note the wording “we command you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,” that would be similar to a law enforcement officer making the statement to a traffic violator “pull over in the name of the law,” the officer does not posses the right to make laws, he is simply declaring and enforcing the carrying out thereof of that which was established by the law system (political officials, courts, judges, etc.)
The same is true here, Paul, nor any of the other apostles or NT prophets did not make any laws for God, they were simply declaring and enforcing that which was already bound and loosed in heaven for the NT dispensation (1 Cor 14:37; Gal 1:12; Mt 16:19; 18:18; Ps 119:89).
1Co 14:37 If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord.
1Co 14:38 If anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized.
Gal 1:12 For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.
Mat 16:19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven." (NASB)
Mat 18:18 Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven. (NASB)
Psa 119:89 Forever, O LORD, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens.
Psa 119:89 For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. (KJV)
Everything one does as a Christian (Christianos “one owned by Christ”) is to be that which is authorized (approved) by our King Jesus Christ, through the NT (look at Col 3:17a).
Col 3:17a And whatever you do, in word or deed, do (all) everything in the name of the Lord Jesus
And that includes all matters of the church, its work, its worship and its organization, and also all matters concerning one’s life, the manner in which we live it; in and outside of the assembly, for the Christian is to reflect the light of God and Christ to a sin sick world, the Lord stated (Mt 5:14-16) . . .
Mat 5:14 "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.
Mat 5:15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.
Mat 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Note that Col 3:17 does not say “do some of what you do in the name of the Lord Jesus” nor “do part of what you do in the Lord Jesus” it states . . .
Col 3:17a And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything (all) in the name of the Lord Jesus
The specific command given here (2 Thess 3:6; turn back there) is one to “withdraw” (ASV; NKJV) or “keep away” (ESV; NASB) from anyone who is a Christian (one who has been born of the water and the Spirit; John 3:5; Mk 16:16; this doesn’t refer to non-Christians, for if it did, we would have to leave the world altogether; 1 Cor 5:10), but this refers to the Christian who is “walking disorderly, and not after the tradition” taught by the apostles, the specific offence is “idleness.”
“Withdraw” “keep away” here gives us the true manner that church discipline is to be exercised, it is not to be a denouncing him, or injuring him, or an excommunicating of him and a handing him over to the civil authorities as a heretic in order that a death sentence may be enacted upon him, but simply a separating from him, a ceasing to recognize him as a faithful brother in Christ.
This “withdrawing” “keeping away” is 3 fold in its purpose . . .
i. It is purposed to honor and love Christ as King, He is the head of His church, and when we do things His way, we are giving Him honor, expressing our love for Him (John 14:15), and thereby glorifying God.
ii. It is purposed to bring erring brother to his senses (to reclaim him as a faithful brother), in order that he may see the dire straits he may presently be in, by living a life contrary to the will of God, which could have an impact on his hope of being with God in eternity (1 Pet 3:12; Isa 59:2), which may be the case if such a person should die in this state.
iii. It is purposed to keep the church pure (Tit 2:14), if people living lives not according to the gospel were accepted as faithful Christians, their sins and worldliness could likely spread as leaven to others, and infect the church; a diseased limb needs to be cut off, in order that it doesn’t kill the rest of the body (as seen in a case of gangrene; Mt 5:30, or poison in the pot; 2 Ki 4:39-40).
“Walking disorderly (in idleness; ESV)” here comes from a military term, it refers to one that is breaking ranks as when a group is marching, and some don’t keep in step or in proper alignment.
And that which the person is out of step with here is the “tradition that you received from us,” which is “the apostles doctrine” (Acts 2:42), “God’s word” (1 Thess 2:13), “the doctrine of Christ” (2 John 9).
This is not a reference to the traditions of men, as seen in many religious bodies today, for these, when followed result in vain (empty) worship unto a most worthy and high God, as seen in the case the over 1,000 traditions that were added to the Law of Moses (Mt 15:9).
Mat 15:9 in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'"
This word “tradition” here (2 Thess 3:6) means “a narrative, an instruction, concretely a precept,” in other words a statute of the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus; concerning the apostles of Christ it would refer to that which was already bound and loosed in heaven (Mt 16:19; 18:18), that which was forever settled in heaven (Ps 119:89), that perfect law of liberty (Ja 1:25), which God wants written on our hearts (Heb 8:10), which when we practice it, it proves whose we are, Satan’s or God’s (1 Jn 3:4-10).
In this context the precept that was being violated was that which forbad idleness, but this principle of discipline can be applied to anything that breaks ranks, that is not aligned with the gospel, the doctrine of Christ, that once for all time delivered Faith (Rom 1:16; 2 John 9; Jude 3),
2Jn 1:9 Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching (doctrine) of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching (doctrine) has both the Father and the Son.
And there is a ton of this taking place today, the list would be too long to even attempt to go through (the ones on the forefront presently are baby killing, sodomy and lesbianism, divorce and remarriage, sexual immorality in general, worldliness and money loving) just about every aspect of the doctrine of Christ is being assaulted and twisted to the spiritual destruction of many (2 Pet 3:16), what we are seeing is supposed followers of Christ living how He never lived, but the encouragement is (Jn 14:6; 1 Cor 11:1) . . .
Joh 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
1Co 11:1 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
Let us keep in reverence and remembrance Col 3:17 at all times (Col 3:17a),
Col 3:17a And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything (all) in the name of the Lord Jesus
For authority is given, not taken; to take authority is rebellion, but to walk within One’s authority, Christ’s authority, our only source of “NT AUTHORITY” is submission unto God, and draws us closer to God (Ja 4:7-8)
Jas 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Jas 4:8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
II. NT “EXAMPLE” (2 Thess 3:7-9)
A. (v 7)
2Th 3:7 For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not (disorderly) idle when we were with you,
Here Paul reminds the Thessalonians that they ought to imitate “us” (this is either epistlatory [only referring to Paul] or a reference to him and those that were with him went they established that newly formed congregation through the preaching, believing and obeying of the gospel; i.e. Paul, Silas, Timothy and Luke; Acts 17:1-10).
Let us keep in mind that it is not really Paul who we are ultimately imitating, by inspiration he wrote (1 Cor 11:1) . . .
1Co 11:1 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
When they were there, they taught the gospel, and they lived lives according to the gospel, they walked in the light of God’s word (Ps 119:105; 1 John 1:7), as Jesus would and did.
Paul reminded Timothy of the setting forth that same example when he was at Ephesus (1 Tim 4:16).
1Ti 4:16 Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for by doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you. (EMTV)
We must not be hypocrites, they were severely condemned by our Master, we must be hearers, propagators and doers of God’s word for us today, which is the NT, the doctrine of Christ (Ja 1:22).
Jas 1:22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
B. (v 8)
2Th 3:8 nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you.
There seems to have been a problem among the Thessalonians, it seemed that some were disposed to idleness, therefore he gave them this command from the Lord (v 6), which was merely a repeat of what they told them in person (1 Thess 4:11).
1Th 4:11 and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you,
And also, he set forth an example that they could not only hear, but also see (1 Thess 2:9-10).
1Th 2:9 For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.
1Th 2:10 You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers.
This is another reason why Christians must be hearers and doers of God’s word, those that we are attempting to teach, will better learn the truth by the use of a visual aid, and that visual aid is you and I, the Christian.
This is the basic approach that our Lord took when He was upon this earth (John 14:9b).
Joh 14:9b Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'?
We may have an invisible God, but His working was certainly seen in Jesus (Col 1:15), and can be seen throughout creation (Ps 19:1), and the Lord taught that it was to be seen through His people, the Lord stated (Mt 5:14-16) . . .
Mat 5:14 "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.
Mat 5:15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.
Mat 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Jesus was the visible image of the invisible God, He declared Him (Jn 1:18) . . .
Joh 1:18 No man has seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has declared him.
We, as imitators of Jesus (1 Cor 11:1), also need to declare Him (Phili 2:15).
Php 2:15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,
Since the beginning of creation, mankind was purposed by God to be industrious (Gen 2:15).
Gen 2:15 The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.
And that is the example that Paul was attempting to set forth, for when man doesn’t have his own business to do, it seems that he wants to put his attentions in other’s business; listen to what the Lord said to Peter when is was seemingly overly concerned with the outcome of the apostle John in John 21:22b.
Joh 21:22b what is that to you? You follow me!"
We also need to quit being overly concerned with others and make sure we are imitating Jesus (1 Cor 11:1).
1Co 11:1 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
C. (v 9)
2Th 3:9 It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate.
The inspired Paul sets forth this point so that no one will misunderstand, those that do preach the gospel have the right to be supported by the gospel (1 Cor 9:14).
1Co 9:14 Even so did the Lord ordain that they that proclaim the gospel should live of the gospel.
Yet in Corinth Paul took no money from that congregation in order that his enemies would not assert that he preached for financial gain alone (2 Cor 11:8),
2Co 11:8 I robbed other churches by accepting support from them in order to serve you.
And here in Thessalonica Paul did not take money from them seeing their disposition to idleness, and wanting to promote their faithfulness to the commands of the Lord in this matter.
Paul did many things that brought hardship upon himself, for the betterment of others, as did the Lord, let us also keep this in our minds (1 Cor 10:24; 2 Cor 8:9; Phili 2:3-5).
1Co 10:24 Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.
2Co 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.
Phi 2:3 doing nothing through faction or through vainglory, but in lowliness of mind each counting other better than himself;
Phi 2:4 not looking each of you to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others.
Phi 2:5 Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: (ASV)
These individuals and our Lord are our “NT EXAMPLES” let us follow/imitate them to the best of our God given abilities, through the Spirit of Christ that dwells within us (Rom 8:9b; Col 1:27).
Rom 8:9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.
Col 1:27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
III. NT “ADMONISHMENT (WARNING)” (2 Thess 3:10-15)
A. (v 10)
2Th 3:10 For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.
Again, it seems as though Paul saw an apparent problem concerning the idleness (laziness) of some of the saints at Thessalonica, this command is merely a repeat of what they were told when the apostle was in their midst.
This command, as stated before had its origin “at the beginning of creation” (Gen 2:15).
Gen 2:15 The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.
And then it became even more emphasized after sin came into the world (Gen 3:19).
Gen 3:19 By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return."
Perhaps if Adam and Eve spent a little more time tending the Garden, they would not of had the time left to be deceived by the serpent, believing that they could actually “be as God” (Gen 3:5).
This brings forth an axiomatic truth (an apparent true fact), that “idleness is the devil’s workshop.” (“Whoever does not gather with Me scatters”; Mt 12:30), in other words if your not doing God’s will, your working against Him, as an agent, a tool of Satan.
Those that were able to work were to do such, the saints at Thessalonica were not to support these freeloaders; the basic command given here is the one who is able, should either work or starve, and that is besides the fact that fellowship is to be broken off (v 6, 14).
Now concerning those that are not Christians, we don’t feed the lazy among them either, (for God's laws are applicable to all people; Acts 17:30; Tit 2:11), but we do attempt to feed them the word of God, which is able to save their souls (1 Pet 2:2; Ja 1:21).
1Pe 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that you may grow thereby:
Jas 1:21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
B. (v 11)
2Th 3:11 For we hear that some among you walk (disorderly) in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies.
It seems like whatever void there is, it is always wanting to be filled, the person that does not work, who has not his own business to attend to, will be disposed to attend to other’s business, remember the Lord’s words, “what is that to thee? follow thou Me” (John 21:22), they and we need to work out our own salvation (Phili 2:12).
Php 2:12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,
And this tendency, being coupled with the fact that of them believing that the 2nd coming of Christ was to take place at any time, only promoted, that which was noted as a problem among them.
Being a busybody was also a problem among the younger widows at Ephesus who were not kept busy with the attends of an active household (1 Tim 5:13-15).
1Ti 5:13 Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not.
1Ti 5:14 So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, manage their households, and give the adversary no occasion for slander.
1Ti 5:15 For some have already strayed after Satan.
The person that lives a life like this, needs to repent, and serve the Lord, and if they are so wealthy they need not work secularly, then they ought to be about the Father’s business, which is always profitable, and time consuming, as it is written (1 Cor 15:58) . . .
1Co 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
C. (v 12)
2Th 3:12 Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living (lit. eat their own bread).
This command includes not only the order to be industrious, eating one’s own bread (and not another’s), but also the “way” one is to work is brought forth, it is to be done in “quietness.”
This is not that which authorizes so called “vows of silence,” be rather this speaks of the “demeanor” of the life that one is to live, it is not to be boisterous, loud, attention seeking (Mt 23:12),
Mat 23:12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
But rather the living of a humble life that is characterized by calmness, by quietness, being motivated by the assurance that one has in the hope of God’s promises (Tit 1:2; 2:13; 1 Pet 1:3-4; 2 Pet 3:13).
Tit 1:2 in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began
Tit 2:13 looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
1Pe 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
1Pe 1:4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,
2Pe 3:13 But, according to his promise, we look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwells righteousness.
And doing all, with one’s God given abilities, to obey the commands of God, from the heart, through faith, which is in Christ Jesus (1 Cor 7:19; Gal 5:6).
1Co 7:19 For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God.
Gal 5:6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.
And thereby, giving the glory to God, not self (1 Cor 1:31; 10:31).
1Co 1:31 . . . as it is written, "Let the one who boasts (glories), boast (glory) in the Lord."
1Co 10:31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
For this is mankind’s purpose in creation (Isa 43:6-7) . . .
Isa 43:6 I will say to the north, Give up, and to the south, Do not withhold; bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the end of the earth,
Isa 43:7 everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made."
D. (v 13)
2Th 3:13 As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good.
But those that are attempting to walk in step with the gospel of Christ, that are feeding the poor who work, or those who are not able bodied, or who have had a bad turn of events causing them to be in serious need, let them not be weary in well doing to these.
For this is one the main functions of those that are born anew (Eph 2:10).
Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
For it is a privilege to do good (Gal 6:10).
Gal 6:10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Yet some are looking for handouts, who are just plain lazy, who are rebellious concerning God’s commands concerning being industrious, they seem to be everywhere, going from congregation to congregation (house to house), asking for handouts and giving some typical story, who are no more than modern versions of these types of men, they are nothing more that conmen, beware of these who are not living according to the Christian tradition.
But do not let their type cause us to be weary, to make it seem to be very difficult to find and to do good to people who are in real need, give diligence to do good, and opportunity will come.
Satan would like nothing better that to deceive us in thinking that all the poor are nothing more than a bunch of lazy conmen, the Lord has said concerning the poor (Lk 6:20; Ja 2:5; Mk 14:7a).
Luk 6:20 And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said: "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.
Jas 2:5 Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?
Mar 14:7a For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want, you can do good for them.
It may just take a little more effort than it used to, in order to track them down (especially in this rich nation), but with the current communication devices we have, we should be able to tract down the poor, saints and non-saints alike, throughout the entire earth, and do good to them unto God’s glory.
E. (v 14)
2Th 3:14 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.
Those that attempt to say that the NT is nothing more that a bunch of love letters and there is no law therein must have neglected this verse.
Yet it is true that God’s love is manifested in His laws (2 John 6).
2Jn 1:6 And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it.
And walking in (living according to) those commands is how we manifest our love of God, The Lord Himself said (John 14:15) . . .
Joh 14:15 If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
And it also shows forth whose we are, children of God, or children of the devil (1 Jn 3:4-10) . . .
1Jn 3:4 Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness.
1Jn 3:5 You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin.
1Jn 3:6 No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him.
1Jn 3:7 Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous.
1Jn 3:8 Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.
1Jn 3:9 No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God.
1Jn 3:10 By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.
For the NT does contain legislation, which is supposed to be written upon our hearts (Heb 8:10), despite many of the twisted assertions of Protestantism, which for the most part believe a lie (no baptism “immersion” salvation), which is opposed to a slew of NT passages (Mk 16:16; John 3:5; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Rom 6:3; Gal 3:27; Col 2:12; 1 Pet 3:21), whereby they have twisted the NT to their own destruction (2 Pet 3:15-16).
2Pe 3:15 And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him,
2Pe 3:16 as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures.
But the person that “does not obey” (2 Thess 3:14; “keeps on obeying not,” a present active indicative verb) the apostles word, which is Christ’s word, which is the Father’s word (John 17:8, 14; 20), is to be “taken note of.”
What is meant by this is that this individual is to be “identified as an unfaithful Christian” in order that fellowship would not be extended to him, he is to be treated as an unbeliever (Mt 18:17).
Mat 18:17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.
“Have no company with him” (ASV) “have nothing to do with him” (ESV) here in the Greek means “to mix up together, to mingle together with, to have intercourse with”
The idea was “they were not to partake of a social life with him as a fellow Christian, as one of their own number, they were not to show that they regarded him as a worthy member of the church, or as having a claim to its privileges.”
In other words he is not to have the right nor the privilege to take part in things of Christian fellowship, he is not to work for, nor lead the congregation in any manner or form, for this individual has separated himself from God (Isa 59:2; 1 Pet 3:12), to allow him to do so would be to condone his actions against Christ, and reject Christ’s commands in this matter, and thus sin against Christ.
But remember that the purpose of this “withdrawal” this “having nothing to do with him” was to bring him to shame, in order that he would repent and turn from his evil ways, and turn back to God through repentance (Acts 8:22), confession of said sins (Ja 5:16), with prayer unto God (1 John 1:9), in order that he might be reclaimed as a faithful brother, discipline always looks to the recovery, not the destruction of the erring.
F. (v 15)
2Th 3:15 Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn (admonish) him as a brother.
This puts forth the true spirit that we are to show when administering church discipline, we are not to treat him as an adversary over whom we seek to gain a victory, it is his sins, that we are to hate (Heb 1:9), but him, we are to love (Jn 3:16), as did the Lord . . .
Joh 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
Heb 1:9 You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions." (NASB)
You can plainly see the necessity of this part of the command; for it is only natural to consider one who deviates from the doctrine of Christ as an enemy.
And that is basically that which fueled the killing of thousands if not millions of so called heretics throughout the Christian age, under Catholicism and Protestantism alike.
It was said in times past that the stench of the burning of the heretics could be smelled almost daily in the major cites throughout the land;
Let alone the wholesale slaughter of thousands at a time, such as the case of the Albigenses in the 13th century, where it is said that approximately two thirds of the people in southern France were killed in order to wipe out this supposed heresy (which in fact was the closest thing to NT Christianity at that time).
Instead of considering this out of step person as an enemy, he is to be “admonished” which in the simplest terms means “to warn firmly, yet gently.”
We are to deliver him over to Satan (let him go back into the world; 1 Cor 5:5), in order that he might be reclaimed to Christ, recognizing that he is in fact an erring brother, who has tasted the goodness of God, yet has fallen back into the ways of the world, thus he is against Christ (Ja 4:4).
Jas 4:4 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
The Lord stated in Mt 12:30 . . .
Mat 12:30 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.
And that is the whole point of this section of scripture, how can two walk together lest they be agreed (Amos 3:3)?
They can’t, and that’s the lesson here, there is not “unity in diversity,” that is the wisdom of men, not the power of God; Christ is the King, He makes the rules, and He enforces the rules, His way, which is the Father’s way, which is the Way, and must be our way, if we expect to be found faithful on That Day.
And before we can be found faithful, we must be found “in Christ,” the only place where the faithful reside, walking in the light of God’s word, where Christ’s blood cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1:7), and to enter into Christ . . .
One is to . . .
Hear the Word of God (Acts 2:37; Rom 10:17)
Rom 10:17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
It must be implanted deeply within the good ground, the good heart
One is to . . .
Believe that Jesus is the Christ (Acts 8:37; John 20:31); this is the major purpose of the Gospel accounts . . .
Joh 20:31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
Belief (faith) is the crossover point wherein one enters into the process of “being saved” (Lk 13:23; Acts 2:47; 1
Cor 1:18; 15:2; 2 Cor 2:15), the Lord Himself said in Jn 5:24 . . .
Joh 5:24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
One is to . . .
Repent of sins, (Acts 17:30; Luke 13:3, 5) Paul stated on mars hill . . .
Act 17:30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent,
Repentance is a change of mind that results in a changed life.
One is to . . .
Confess Jesus as the Christ before men (Acts 8:37; Rom 10:9), the eunuch said . . .
“I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” So should you
Rom 10:9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
One is to . . .
Be baptized (immersed), which doth also now save us (1 Pet 3:21), immersed into Christ (Gal 3:27) into the death of Christ (Rom 6:3) where His precious blood was shed (John 19:34) unto (for the purpose of) the remission of sins. (Acts 2:38; 22:16); baptism is the point wherein one is to be dead to sin and alive unto God (Rom 6:1-11).
And finally one is to live a holy and faithful life (Rev 2:10), separated from the ways of world while being in the world (1 Pet 1:15-16).
1Pe 1:15 But because the God who called you is holy you must be holy in every aspect of your life.
1Pe 1:16 Scripture says, "Be holy, because I am holy." (GW)
Not perfect, but faithful (Mt 25:21),
Mat 25:21 His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.'
Being renewed day by day (2 Cor 4:16), Putting off that old person, and putting on the new, being constantly in a state of spiritual growth (2 Pet 3:18), walking together and thereby agreeing with God (Amos 3:3), as new creatures (2 Cor 5:17; Gal 6:15), unto eternal life.