May the Lord of Peace Himself Give You Peace

2 Thess. 3: 14-16

14 Take special note of anyone who does not obey our instruction in this letter. Do not associate with them, in order that they may feel ashamed. 15 Yet do not regard them as an enemy, but warn them as you would a fellow believer.
16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.

Paul is talking to the people in the Thessalonian church. He was warning them against being idle.  The Life Application Bible says that "Some people in the Thessalonian church were falsely teaching that because Christ would return any day, people should set aside their responsibilities, quit work, do no future planning, and just wait for the Lord.  But their lack of activity only led them into sin. They became a burden to the church which was supporting them, they wasted time that could have been used for helping other, and became "busybodies". (3:11)" The people decided that it was more spiritual to stop working and wait on the Lord.

Paul admonishes them to be responsible and get back to work. They needed to be ready for the return of Jesus Christ but they also need to live a life of faith in Jesus and daily practice that would please the Lord. Being a burden to the church was not the way they should live.  He reminded them that when he was with them, he commanded, "If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat." (I Thess. 3:10) Paul worked day and night so that he would not be a burden to the church.  

He wanted the church to not keep company with those that didn't work.  Why? Because not working gives one so much idle time, which could lead to sin.  The Bible say in Proverbs 16:27, "27 Idle hands are the devil’s workshop; idle lips are his mouthpiece."  Paul cautions the church from being used by the enemy in rumors, hearsay, and gossip.  He also counsels them not to support those that are idle and not working.  Not those who could not work, but those that were choosing not to work. He doesn't want them to treat them as an enemy, but as a brother. They needed to use tough love. 

He closes his letter asking the Lord of peace, Himself, to give them peace.  He wanted the Lord to give them peace in every way.  Not only in their lives but in how they walked together.  I don't know about you but I want peace in every way.  Peace in my home, my mind, my career, family, ministry, and every way. Not the worldly peace because they can take that back. I want the peace that according to Philippians 4,"and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."  

So let us not be idle, work while it is day.  Be responsible and live according to God's Word and will for your life.  I pray for you that as you do so that "the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you."

 Amen.