Sunday, October 18, 2015

Year 5, Day 291: 2 Thessalonians 3

Theological Commentary: Click Here


Discipleship Focus: Competency

  • Competency: Being able to accomplish what one is called to do.

2 Thessalonians 3 is Paul’s natural conclusion from the guidance that he offered in the opening two chapters.  Paul tells us that we should work.  We should not mooch off of the people around us.  We should not take advantage of the people around us.  We should not seek a position of high status so that we can live off of the people below us.  We should all work for what we want.

This is really an issue of competency.  We all have the capacity.  With God, we also all have the character needed to do our part.  The question that remains for all of us to ask ourselves is if we are competent enough to actually do it.  Can we actually do what needs to be done?

God does not give us the character to do what is right without giving us the ability to do what is right.  God does not call us to a life that we cannot actually live.  God does not set anything outside of our reach.  That doesn’t mean that there aren’t things that are outside of our reach.  But what it does mean is that if God puts something into our life He will put it within our ability to grasp it.

Thus, we work.  Paul tells us to work.  Paul tells us to do our best and to earn our keep.  In doing this, we also become an example and a role-model for others.  This is why Paul also talks about imitation.  If people see us working for what we desire to have, it may just inspire someone else to also work hard for what they want as well.

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