By Kevin Harris, pastor of the Illawarra Community Baptist Church in Wollongong, NSW
Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us… For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread… And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
2 Thessalonians 3:6-15
Today’s Scripture passage corrects two modern myths.
Myth 1
When hearing a warning about professing Christians who are in error, occasionally someone will say, ‘I know they don’t believe or live like you do, but they ARE Christians, so just get along.’
First, it may be that they are fellow-believers. Then again, that might not be, given the Lord Jesus’ teaching that tares exist among wheat (Matthew 13:24-43). They look so similar that even expert farmers struggle to tell them apart. Matthew 7:21-23 reveal that many we would have called Christian brothers will be revealed to be false. Only God knows the truth of each heart.
Secondly, the issue is NOT whether they are like me, but whether they are obedient to God.
Our passage before us sternly commands us to judge a person’s behaviour, not their profession of faith in Christ. If he walks disorderly, like a soldier out of rank, or if he ignores the revealed word of God (‘tradition’), what are we commanded to do? The Lord is very clear. If he ignores your reminders of the Lord’s instructions (‘admonish’), withdraw from him in hopes of shaming him. Don’t provide comfort to him in his sin. Lovingly warn him to return to Biblical order.
That leads us to the other myth which this passage corrects.
Myth 2
Some suggest we should just ‘love’ people rather than judge them. There’s a huge emphasis in modern Christianity against being judgmental.
But as we have seen, to take that approach is direct disobedience. The truth is, we can do both. We can lovingly judge a man to be out of order, and, as Galatians 6:1 teaches, meekly seek to restore him.
Father, I want to obey You. Help me to stay in my place under You, and to urge others to do likewise. I ask this in the Name of the Lord Jesus, Amen.
This article was written by Kevin Harris Dapto pastor of Illawarra Community Baptist Church.