Weekly Pulpit 2 Thessalonians 3:18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. The well-doing of the text refers to the duties of life generally. The Apostle was informed that there were in the Church at Thessalonia persons who walked disorderly, working not at all, but were busybodies. The hospitality of the members enabled them to go from house to house, and the less spiritual would welcome them for the sake of gossip. They were commanded to work, and eat their own bread. Then the text follows as a general exhortation. I. THE DUTIES OF LIFE ARE ONEROUS. Every man who lives an earnest life knows the pinch of the shoe. 1. The initiatory stages of life involve labour. There are hundreds in the world this moment whose entire failure, through an undisciplined youth, will end in idleness and misery. You can bend the twig, but not the sturdy branch. Parents should teach their children that life is a matter of paramount importance. "Train up a child," etc. 2. The discharge of life's duties demands energy and perseverance. God has ordained labour more for the development of man's powers than for its own sake. Every branch of human work has its difficulties. It is the case with some that they think other avocations or professions easier than their own. It is a mistake. Do not run from one thing to another in search of ease; you must work hard in whatever department, or fall a victim to fancy. 3. There are special circumstances of a crucial nature to overcome. So far we have only touched on the general, but men do not go through life without an occasional tension that taxes all their strength. The mariner encounters storms. In the lives of great men trials are great, but in the lives of ordinary men trials are as great as they can bear. The Book of Proverbs is a great monitor. II. LIFE'S DUTIES CAN BE DISCHARGED — faint not "in well-doing." God has measured your task. by your strength. He will not lay upon us more than we can bear. 1. Faint not, because well-doing is divinely ordered. Men fail because they look on labour as a human imposition. The first man, who was lord of all he could survey, was a gardener. All nature is at work. 2. Be not weary, because there is a sweetness in well-doing. Work is its own rewarder. The indolent speak of drudgery, but the industrious think of satisfaction in labour. It has a harvest to follow. 3. Faint not, because industry and perseverance form character. "Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit, serving the Lord." Some think that they are Christians because they sing hymns, while business is going to the dogs. Life is the occasion to develop principle. 4. Faint not, because God will continue your strength. (Weekly Pulpit.) Parallel Verses KJV: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. WEB: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. |
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