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Imitate Me
2 Thessalonians 3:6-13
Today’s Insights
In 2 Thessalonians 2, some believers in Jesus had quit their jobs and were living off the generosity of the church because they’d been misled by false teachers that Jesus had already returned (v. 2). These freeloaders had become “busybodies” and threatened the unity of the community (3:11). Paul told the church to withdraw fellowship (v. 6) and withhold food from these idlers who disobeyed the church’s teaching and rejected the apostle’s example of working for a living (vv. 7-10). The church must continue to do “what is good” and help those who are unable to work (v. 13). But Paul says, “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat” (v. 10). The apostle commanded these idlers to get back to fruitful employment and productivity: “Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat” (v. 12). By doing so, they imitated Paul, who sought to imitate Jesus.
Today’s Devotional
As his daddy cast his fishing line out into the lake, two-year-old Thomas mimicked his father’s actions with his own toy fishing pole. Later, as he stood on the shallow edge of the lake, Thomas also tried imitating his father’s example of throwing fish back into the water by dipping his pole in the water and “catching” weeds. After each “catch,” Thomas held the weeds up for his daddy to admire before releasing them back into the lake.
We tend to learn—both what’s good and wholesome and what’s definitely not—through observing and imitating others. Perhaps that’s why in the New Testament, followers of Jesus are often encouraged to look to faithful servants of the gospel as role models (see 2 Thessalonians 3:9; Hebrews 13:7; 3 John 1:11).
In 2 Thessalonians 3, Paul told his readers not to imitate idle, disruptive, and meddling lifestyles (vv. 6, 11) and told his readers to imitate instead the examples of integrity found in him and the other leaders (vv. 7-10). And he encouraged them to “never tire of doing what is good” (v. 13).
But Paul knew that ultimately his example was only worth imitating insofar as it pointed to reliance on Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1). Only by rooting our lives in Christ’s faith and power can we grow in grace and wisdom.
Reflect & Pray
Who has been a godly role model in your life? Who might you influence in turn?
Dear heavenly Father, thank You for the dear people You’ve placed in my life who’ve pointed me to You and are helping me learn what it means to live in Your power and love.
