Work Is a Many Splendid Thing

We all have different views of work. Some of you may think I'm crazy for calling work "a many splendid thing." It seems that most of us would rather be doing something else. According to the Scriptures, then, most of us have a wrong view of work. Actually, over the years, most societies have viewed manual labor with disdain.

Aristotle declared working as a craftsman or a trader to be "devoid of nobility and hostile to perfection of character" (cited in Leland Ryken, Work and Leisure in Christian Perspective [Portland, Oregon: Multnomah, 1987], 64). In a similar vein Roman author Cicero wrote, "The toil of a hired worker, who is paid only for his toil and not for artistic skill, is unworthy of a free man and is sordid in character… Trade on a small retail scale is also sordid" (Ibid, 65).

Viewed apart from God, work seems to have very little value. Even Solomon asked, "What advantage does man have in all his work which he does under the sun?" (Eccl. 1:3, NASB). Viewed completely from a human perspective, he concluded that work is futile. He continued, "Thus I considered all my activities which my hands had done and the labor which I had exerted, and behold all was vanity and striving after wind and there was no profit under the sun... Thus I hated all the fruit of my labor for which I had labored under the sun, for I must leave it to the man who will come after me" (Eccl. 2:11, 18, NASB).

Only when viewed from God's perspective do you see the value of work. Solomon concludes, "There is nothing better for a man than to eat and drink and tell himself that his labor is good. This also I have seen that it is from the hand of God" (Eccl. 2:24, NASB). And again, "Every man who eats and drinks sees good in all his labor—it is the gift of God" (Eccl. 3:13, NASB). For the Christian, all work is seen as a spiritual duty to be done in a manner that gives glory to God. First Corinthians 10:31 says, "Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."

Note several aspects of the biblical work ethic:

(1) God commanded it: "Six days you shall labor and do all your work" (Exodus 20:9), followed by, "but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God" (v. 10). Six days of work is as much a command from God as is the day of rest on the Sabbath.

(2) God is our example that we should follow after Him: Various Scriptures tell us of God's work in creation, preservation, providence, judgment, and redemption. Also, the Lord Jesus worked by redeeming us, building His church, interceding for us, and preparing a place in heaven for us. The Holy Spirit works by convicting us of our sin, regenerating us, and dwelling within us to empower us.

(3) Work is part of the creation mandate to man and is therefore a normal part of our existence: "He causes the grass to grow for the cattle, and vegetation for the labor of man, so that he may bring forth food from the earth" (Psalm 104:14, NASB). So, "Man goes out to his work and to his labor until the evening" (v. 23). Work was not the result of the curse when Adam fell from grace. The curse was that work became difficult and painful.

(4) Work is a gift from God: Remember Ecclesiastes 3:13? "Every man who eats and drinks sees good in all his labor—it is the gift of God" (NASB). Work provides us with value, purpose in life, and fulfillment. Through work God's image is seen in us, as we provide for the needs of all who are in our care.

(5) All work is to be done for the Lord: "Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men" (Eph. 6:5-7).

This biblical work ethic wasn't being followed by some in the church in Thessalonica. Whether they were influenced by the prevailing Greek, Roman, and Jewish views of work believing it to be beneath their dignity, or whether they believed work to be pointless because Christ would return soon, or whether they were simply lazy, Paul doesn't say. But he does indicate that these believers were causing strife in the church as they leaned on the church for support. As Paul shows, all who have the ability and opportunity to work should do so. Only those with legitimate disability or lack of opportunity should be supported by the church. That is the simple view of Scripture.

So we should all work as we are able and we should help those with legitimate needs. In that way, we can meet the commands of Scripture and be transformed into the image of Christ Jesus. Amen.

A Life of Spiritual Growth

When you are focused on Christ, your life will be marked by constant spiritual growth. You are always learning about Christ and you are always growing in faith. Your life is constantly changing as you become more and more like Jesus.

Paul shows his desire for your continual growth in Christ through his benediction in Second Thessalonians 3:5—"Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ." If you are to pray as you should, if you are to live by faith or trust in God as you should, if you are to continue in obedience to God's word daily as you should, then you need the Lord's help. You can't do this on your own power. So Paul here asks, "May the Lord direct your hearts" (v. 5a). God has to do it. All of this is accomplished in your life only as Christ in you empowers you. It is the Lord who directs your heart toward God.

It is the Lord who directs your heart "into the love of God" (v. 5b). "Direct" (v. 5b) means "make straight." It refers to the removing of all obstacles and hindrances as someone opened a pathway or road (John MacArthur, Jr., MacArthur's New Testament Commentary: 1 & 2 Thessalonians, [Moody Publishers: Grand Rapids Michigan, 2001], 297). Paul wants you to continue to grow spiritually, so he asks the Lord to clear the way so your heart, or inner person, will move "into the love of God" (v. 5b).

In other words, as you fix your eyes on Jesus, He directs you into a fuller appreciation of God's love for you (The Expositor's Bible Commentary, Volume 11, [Zondervan Publishing House: Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1978], 333) and at the same time builds your love for Him. Paul wants you to grow deeper and deeper into God's love for you, which in turn will cause you to love Him more and more (MacArthur).

It is also the Lord who directs your heart "into the patience of Christ" (v. 5c). The NASB says, "into the steadfastness of Christ" (v. 5c), while the KJV says, "into the patient waiting for Christ" (v. 5c). That phrase has a certain degree of ambiguity, which Paul used brilliantly. It can refer either to Christ's "steadfastness," also rendered "patience," as in "patient enduring" with believers, or to the believers' patience in Christ's strength, through their endurance.

Christ is patient beyond measure with your sins, problems, and struggles. Paul wants you to understand that truth. He also wants you to have a better understanding of Christ's endurance through trials. As you grow in this understanding of Christ, you will experience greater spiritual endurance in your life. Because of the patience of Christ with you and because of your growing reliance on Him, you can endure all things in Christ.

When your focus is on the Lord—when your eyes are fixed on Jesus—you will continue to grow spiritually, both in the love of God and in the steadfastness of Christ. That is Paul's message. It's all about Jesus. Fix your eyes on Jesus. Keep your focus on Christ, and your life will be one of prayer, trust, obedience and constant growth in Him. Amen.

A Life of Obedience

When you are focused on Christ, your life will be a life of obedience to God. "And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you" (2 Thess. 3:4). Or, as the NIV puts it, "We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command." While verse 3 speaks of our trust in Christ because of His faithfulness, verse 4 speaks of our faithfulness to Him as shown in our obedience.

Paul's desire for the Thessalonians was that they would continue to be obedient to the Lord. "You are doing" (v. 4b) refers to the fact that obedience to the Word of the Lord is a way of life for them. Paul then adds, "and will continue to do" (v. 4c), referring to their future. Based on what they were already doing, Paul is "confident" (v. 4a), or persuaded "in the Lord," that they will continue to do what he had taught them. Your union with Christ will guarantee your obedience to the Word of the Lord—"the things we command you" (v. 4d).

You have believed the Word of God, you have been taught the Word of God, you must therefore live in obedience to the Word of God! If your life is focused on Christ, you will live a life of obedience to Him and His Word. As you are taught the Word of God, so obey the Word of God. That is Paul's command. Amen.

A Life of Trust

When your life is focused on Christ, not only will your life be a life of prayer, but your life will also be a life of trust or faith. That is how you will live your life when focused on Jesus—by faith, or complete trust in Him.

Note the promise in Second Thessalonians 3:3: "But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one." The lack of faith is widespread among men. Note again the end of verse 2: "for not all have faith." In contrast to that unfortunate truth is the fact of the faithfulness of the Lord Jesus—"But the Lord is faithful" (v. 3a).

The more we focus on His faithfulness, the more we become faith-filled. He can be relied on to "establish you and guard you from the evil one" (v. 3b), or as the NIV and NASB put it, to "strengthen and protect you from the evil one" (v. 3b). In Christ you are "strengthened" (v. 3b) or given inner security. In Him you are also assured of outward protection from the enemy—Satan.

"Protect" (v. 3b, NIV) is a military term that refers to "protection against a violent assault" (The Expositor's Bible Commentary, Volume 11, [Zondervan Publishing House: Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1978], 332). The last part of 1 John 5:18 says, "he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him." Jesus is faithful, and He will defend you against even the touch of the enemy.

Paul didn't know for certain how strong the Thessalonians' trust in God would be in the face of many trials and persecutions. But, no matter what kind of difficulties they might face, he knew the Lord would always be faithful to them in accomplishing His purposes in them. In fact, he knew that God would be so faithful to them that all they needed to do was to trust Him for His provisions. Do that, and you will always be enabled to withstand any assault brought upon you by this evil world.

Remember 1 Corinthians 10:13—"God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it" (NASB). The Lord will take care of you. He will fill you with internal spiritual strength, while He guards you from external attacks. Trust Him! Exercise faith in Him daily. When you are focused on Christ, you will lean on Him and He will take care of you. Amen.

A Life of Prayer

At the beginning of Second Thessalonians chapter three, Paul prayed that you would be completely focused on Christ. He prayed that how you think and what you do would always be centered in Jesus. So, when speaking of things evident in the lives of those whose focus is on the Lord, Paul immediately turned to prayer. "Finally, brethren, pray for us" (2 Thess. 3:1a), he begins. Matters of the end times was his main concern in writing Second Thessalonians, however, as is his habit, he could not end the letter without adding some thoughts on personal application. "Finally" (v. 1a) indicates that he has completed the doctrinal teachings that were needed and now he is turning to those points of application.

As he begins this section, he requests prayer on the part of the young believers in Thessalonica. "Pray" (v. 1a) is in the present tense, meaning that he asked the Thessalonians to "continually pray," or "make prayer a constant pattern" in their lives. Specifically, Paul asked them to pray for his needs, a reminder that even the newest believers, through prayer, can have a part in releasing the power of God on behalf of the strongest and most experienced of God's servants (MacArthur's N.T. Commentary: 1 & 2 Thessalonians, [Moody Publishers: Chicago, 2001], 293).

First, Paul asked that they pray for success of the gospel. Going on in verse 1, he says, "pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you." The words "run swiftly" (v. 1b) are translated "spread rapidly" in the NIV and NASB. The ESV says, "speed ahead," while the KJV says, "have free course." All are excellent translations as the word literally means "to have free course" or "to spread rapidly," and it refers specifically to the idea of running. It is a metaphor from the Greek games for running a race.

Along side of this, Paul spoke of "the word of the Lord" (v. 1b), the gospel, being "glorified" (v. 1b) or "honored" (NIV), depending on your translation. This is the idea of triumph. As more people hear and receive the gospel, God is honored or glorified.

We are to pray that the gospel will "keep on running and keep on being honored." That is the thrust of this verse. All who are focused on Christ will pray in just that way. Paul's request is that you pray continually that Christ might win His race through your church leaders—your pastor and deacons, and all who lead your church. In fact, if you are focused in Christ you will pray continually that Christ will win His race through each of your brothers and sisters in Christ.

The concern is not just for freedom to run the race of discipleship for the Lord, but to allow the Lord to run in and through you without reservations or obstructions. In verse 1, Paul spoke of the Lord as running the race through us. The presence of the Lord in our lives frees us so we can give Him freedom to use us in the rapid spread of the gospel. Authentic freedom is clearing the track, opening the way, removing the impediments, and letting go with joyous abandonment. Give Him all areas of your life. Hold nothing back. Remove all obstacles and He will use you.

Paul mentions the areas where he needed prayer for Christ to work through him: "And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith" (v. 2). Where do you need prayer so Christ can work through you? Let each other know on a regular basis and pray accordingly for one another, and watch the Lord work through you in amazing ways. Amen.

Established in the Work of God

Second Thessalonians 2:16-17 says, "Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work. This prayer with which Paul closes this chapter is in slight contrast to the command of verse 15. We cannot make the command to stand firm on the Word of God effective by our own power. We cannot carry out this command apart from God. Only God who chose you and saved you by His sovereign will can empower you to stand firm. Likewise, it is God who will "comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work" (v. 17).

Note verse 16a: "Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father." The pronoun Himself is singular and stands in the emphatic position in the Greek text. Therefore it refers to both "our Lord Jesus Christ" (v. 16a) and "God our Father" (v. 16a), the first two persons of the Trinity. It could properly be translated, "Now may Himself our Lord Jesus Christ and God our Father" (v. 16a). The pronoun governing both the Son and the Father indicates that Paul views both as the source of comfort, strength, and encouragement. It also gives irrefutable evidence of Christ's deity. Jesus is fully equal in every way with the Father.

Paul goes on to remind us that God is the one "who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace" (v. 16b). The NIV says God is the one "who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope" (v. 16b). Taken together with verse 17, Paul is saying that Jesus and the Father have loved you from all eternity. Because of that love, by grace God has saved you and given you eternal comfort and hope in Christ. Now Paul prays that Jesus Christ and God the Father will comfort and strengthen your hearts "in every good word and work" (v. 17b).

God loves you. God saves you. God makes you steadfast in the Word. God makes you like Christ and establishes you in His work. That is the progression of this passage. You were created "for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them" (Eph. 2:10). Paul prays that God and Christ will comfort you as you live for Christ, looking forward to that great hope of His return. He also prays that God and Christ will establish you and strengthen you in the work He has for you.

Lovers of the truth believe the truth of God, stand firm on the Word of God, and are established in the work of God. Such is the picture of a disciple who is truly following and serving the Lord Jesus Christ.

Does what you believe in your heart have such an effect upon your life that others can see it? For those who are lovers of the truth it does. Let Christ have such a hold on your life. Live for Him each day. Amen.

Stand Firm on the Word of God

Second Thessalonians 2:15 is a call to doctrinal adherence, or sound doctrine. Having established the truth of salvation by grace through faith as a gift from God, in verse 15 Paul gives us a specific command: "Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle."

This verse turns on the word "therefore" (v. 15). Since God has chosen you for salvation you have a personal responsibility to fulfill. The NIV puts verse 15 this way: "So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter." Be steadfast or "stand firm" (v. 15, NIV) in your faith and keep a firm hold on the "traditions" (v. 15) or "teachings" (NIV) of Scripture. In other words, stand firm on the Word of God.

Paul does not want you to be weak. Rather, he wants you to hold your spiritual ground in all circumstances of life and to keep a grip on the truth of God. This is shown by his use of the phrase "traditions which you were taught" (v. 15).

Over the years, people have built up all sorts of traditions that are outside of and in addition to Scripture. Paul is not referring to those kind of traditions. He is not referring to traditions of men that are somehow considered equal to the Word of God. The Greek word translated "traditions" (v. 15) literally means "things handed down" and refers here to divine revelation, the Word of God which Paul had taught them. That is what is meant by the phrase "whether by word of mouth or by letter" (v. 15, NIV).

Had the Thessalonians maintained a stability in their faith and continued to keep a firm grasp on the basic Christian doctrines they had been taught, this letter would not have been needed. They would not have become so fearful, but would have maintained their hope and joy in the Lord.

In light of the circumstances, Paul writes these verses to clarify the doctrine of salvation so that they will renew their hope in Christ. Paul's purpose is that you remain "unmovable and cling tenaciously to these doctrines" (The Expositor's Bible Commentary, Volume 11, [Zondervan Publishing House: Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1978], 330). Your hope and joy in the Lord will remain constant if you do. Amen.