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  Long Island Abundant Life Church 長島豐盛生命教會

2 Thessalonians 3

10/28/2012

 
Click here to read today's passage on Bible Gateway.

Godly Example
One of the greatest problems in the church in the US today is the lack of connection between generations.  Often older Christians have trouble identifying with the music and methods of the younger generation, and the younger generation scorns the experience and godliness of the older generation.  This is the opposite of what the NT says to do:

"The New Testament places strong emphasis on imitating leaders. It also gives strong words to leaders that they be worthy of emulation. As a Christian you owe much to others who have taught you and who have modeled for you right Christian living. Continue following the good examples of those who have invested themselves in you by investing your life through evangelism, service, and Christian education. You also must become a model worth emulating. (The following Scripture verses are quoted from the NIV.)

  •      Matthew 11:29: “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me.”
  •      Philippians 3:17: “Join with others in following my example.”
  •      1 Thessalonians 1:6–7: “You became imitators of us and of the Lord…. And so you became a model to all the believers.”
  •      2 Thessalonians 3:9: “We did this … to make ourselves a model for you to follow.”
  •      1 Timothy 1:16: “In me … Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him.”
  •      1 Peter 2:21: “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.”
  •      1 Peter 5:3: “Not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.”
(See also 1 Corinthians 4:16 and Hebrews 6:12.)
" [1]

Seek out an older Christian with wisdom and experienced godliness and ask if they might mentor you.  This is BADLY needed in the church today and in all of our lives.

[1] Bruce B. Barton and Grant R. Osborne, 1 & 2 Thessalonians: Life Application Commentary, Life Application Bible Commentary (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1999), 144.
Andrei
10/28/2012 04:58:01 pm

Verses 6-12 made me think about what I've heard about the 'puritan work ethic.' I'm not even sure what the 'puritan work ethic' is, but are we supposed to take from these verses that we should always be working hard and never be idle?

Greg
10/29/2012 07:47:40 am

First of all, I would say that yes, it is important to use our time wisely and work hard. We only have a limited time and it goes by fast - we should make the most of it.

Secondly, what you're talking about is usually called the "Protestant Work Ethic". It basically means working hard whether or not there is a promise of reward in it. It comes from the idea that (especially in medieval times) many Catholics served God and worked hard because of the motivation of salvation and rewards. Because Catholic theology says that Christ's righteousness is combined with a person's own works to achieve salvation, there is much more motivation to be "good" and work for God. Protestants, on the other hand, recognize that salvation depends solely on grace apart from works. Why work then? If our salvation doesn't depend on it, why do it? The correct answer is to show our love and gratitude to God and because a changed heart always produces works. The idea behind the term "Protestant Work Ethic" is that this thinking and theology trickles down to the rest of life, producing people that work hard even without promise of great reward.


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