Seriously ...

The books of Thessalonians are very encouraging books to read in the Bible. Personally I am very encouraged by it. It’s about the second coming of the Lord and how the church should “behave” in these last days. I encourage you to read it this week. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand as you read the instructions Paul gave to the Christians at Thessalonica and of the attitude they should put on. Especially read about how Paul encourages the Christians. Many of them have become idle because they thought Jesus was coming then and they were just “waiting” for His return. As you know, an idle mind is the devil’s workshop, and so Paul wrote to them to exhort them to live by example.

Listen to the words of Paul here:

“In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us” (2 Th 3:6).

“If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of him. Do not associate with him, in order that he may feel ashamed” (2th 3:14).

I wondered what the Thessalonica church did after these instructions from Paul. And I wonder what would become of Christians today in our churches practices what Paul preaches. For the pastors it may be a nightmare. For Christians, hmmm … they can always hop to another church. And that is the estate of Christians today. Call it privatized gospel.

Let’s bear in mind that Paul was speaking in the context of Christ’s second coming! In other words, we are living in serious times and if Christians are not being serious about their faith, they will be the ones to lose out in the end. Are you seriously being serious about your faith in God? Are you a faithful, contributing Christian who’d live the Kingdom life to be agents of Christ to transform lives or are you a self-seeking Christian and you go to church because it appeal to your self-interest, your felt need, your personal fulfillment or search for happiness? The Church of Jesus Christ is God’s greatest enterprise in this planet in a search and rescue mission. And whosoever sign up for this greatest enterprise on earth must be relief workers with a heart and mind to seek out the lost souls of this world. When you sign up for church, it’s no longer about you. It’s about the mission. This is not the time to be idle. The clock is ticking! Every worker need to work. Paul’s exhortation to the Thessalonians is for us today!

Problem with church today is this … Christians don’t mind being Christians. But they are not willing to be disciples of Jesus Christ. There is a vast distinction between being a Christian and being a disciple. The difference here is commitment. So, are you a Christian or are you a disciple of Christ? When Jesus said, “Come follow me” there is a price to pay. It’s called commitment! It’ll cost you to follow Jesus! Luke 9:23, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” Notice the phrase “deny” and “take up the cross”. Church is not a “Bless me – make me feel good” club. Like I said, it is this planet’s greatest Search and Rescue mission ever! So how can you and I be idle while there is work to be done!

Church, we are on a mission. We are a Search and Rescue enterprise. Our calling is not about us. We are not to dwell in self-indulgence. Christ did not die for us so that we can have a better life on earth. God’s Kingdom is not about better living. We are relief workers out on a search and rescue mission. There are lost souls that need to be searched out. Our calling is not to be a Christian. Our calling is to be a disciple of Jesus. The great commission is to make disciples. There is a huge distinction between being a Christian and being a disciple. Don’t let the Great Commission become a Great Omission. Like the Thessalonians, let’s buck up. Let’s not be idle. Be a disciple in motion.

Hmm ... I wonder IF the Thessalonians Christians dissociated themselves from those that are idle and who did not follow the teachings of Paul. You may think, "Where's love?" Well, this is the reality of love. These are serious times. There will be a great fall-away of Christians prior to the coming of Jesus. Can you afford not to be serious about your faith in God? Seriously ...