CREATIVE LOAFING
2 Thessalonians 3:6-15 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 your
received from us.
There are all kinds of magazines published today. If you
don’t believe me, visit a book store and see for yourself. Sports, leisure,
hobbies, romance, movie stars and rock idols, magazines for seniors, baby
boomers and children, history, science, collecting, dolls and more can be
found. There is one titled “Creative Loafing”. Can you imagine having to learn
how to creatively loaf. Idleness is a fool’s activity. Unfortunately our
culture provides ample opportunities to loaf, calling it recreation, rest, fan
participation and more. Our culture has more time and money spent on leisure
activities than all the countries in the world combined. God’s people are in
jeopardy of falling into the surrounding culture of idleness if we are not
diligent.
Paul addresses this very issue in his letter to the
church at Thessalonica. Because of the dire importance of the sin of idleness
he reminds us in "the name of the Lord Jesus Christ" to stress the
danger. As a people called to a specific mission of glorifying God and
providing salt and light to the world, we cannot afford to loaf. Paul says that
those who remain idle are to be denied the privilege of associating with their
fellow Christians. "Idle" in the Greek
translates from a word meaning "disorderly". Paul is speaking about
loafing, not being diligent in doing our daily work and having a slothful
conduct. There is no excuse for living the Christian life in such a manner. In
fact, such a life is not Christian at all. The danger of such people in the
Christian fellowship is so serious that Paul advocates such drastic action as
keeping away from the "idle."
Prayer: Lord, forgive us the lack of self-discipline
to remain strong in such a self-entertaining culture. Help us to read your
Word, pray and fellowship in your name that our lives would reflect our love
for you in Christian service and not a desire for the things of the world.
Jericho Road Ministries Chapel, by Rev. Bruce W.
Gimbel, 2007.