Letters to Christ's Beloved Church

2 Thessalonians 3:6 ESV
[6] Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us.

https://bible.com/bible/59/2th.3.6.ESV

That word translated “stay away from” any person who is idle is only used twice in the NT.

G2476 The base is defined in Strongs as “to set fast”  And I believe the Holy Spirit’s meaning is not that we step away from this person but rather that we stand fast in encouraging them not to be idle.

The concept of drawing away from the sinner in their sin seems contrary to me to the cross and the gospel of Jesus Christ and contrary to God’s love for even the rebellious. Those who love God have his grace and truth. Those who do not love God close the door to the mercy and Grace He offers.

However rather than step away from those idle, we should be imitating Paul by not being idle and thereby through our words and actions encouraging those who are idle to transition their thinking and behavior to godly work and care for oneself and others that comes through the love of God.

I also think there needs to be a difference notated between somebody that is idle and somebody that is sick.

The word of God functions and the church functions in a family setting. However we are in a world that has in the Western world lost much of the family connection and unit, both in our homes and in our churches at times.

In a godly family as much as possible, (and by godly we mean people that are in Christ, humble, not self-righteous, Walking in the truth and the mercy and grace of Christ, servant’s hearts) …in a godly family, there is an understanding of what a person can and cannot do.

Now if we are honest, no human can make that judgment. Only God truly can, because we do not know the intricate dwellings of a human’s brain or body. Yet in a loving environment, we often can make good judgements and respond accordingly, so long as we walk in justice, that uses the same judgement with the person in the mirror.

I find this important to me because many years of My Life I was accused of being lazy by bosses when jobs were Lost and even by Loving parents earlier on not so much accused of being lazy, but the Expectations that I constantly failed made me Feel very guilty for much of My Life. I was 47 years old when I was diagnosed with a rare auto immune syndrome that helped explain some of my “failures” but there are still people today that will say I should have had more faith. I should have done better, worked harder, not been lazy or idle…and perhaps to a degree they are right.

Yet to them I now gently respond, perhaps you should have more mercy and understanding and compassion. Perhaps you should have less pride, if think you know so well what others can and cannot do, putting yourself in position of God to judge the thoughts and intent of the hearts of others.

Perhaps you should “judge not, lest you be judged….” There is a balance but in a godly church and family people will be in close relationship and so they should be better able to judge whether person is actually incapable of doing something or unwilling.

God’s peace to the church of Jesus Christ, our Lord and God, whom he paid for and redeemed through his precious blood.