We are all the "them" of righteousness

       I come to this position ( in life ) with a vast amount of experience. I worked very hard and have retired. I have loved and loved some more. I am blessed with children and grandchildren. I have done quite a varied number of things in life to support my family and 'get ahead'. I am neither proud of any 'accomplishments' nor saddened that there is something that I might have missed. I am blessed tenfold.

       I am aware that not everyone shares the same beliefs I do. I know I am far to the left on virtually any political spectrum. While conservative on some issues, I am for free love and acceptance of everyone. I am somewhat of  a conundrum for some people.  That's OK, the converse is also true. For example, I am loathe to explain or understand the vitriol and hate expressed by some people while simultaneously professing their faith in Jesus Christ. 

       Undoubtedly, this passage is used as a weapon by whom I would term 'pseudo-Christians' against so many who have challenging lives, are sickly, troubled or tortured, physically or emotionally. 'Get off your ass and get to work bucko!' I imagine their chants. No work, no charity.

        But wait, let's go back there Loretta. I know this is what Paul is saying but maybe this passage is taken out of context, mistranslated, misunderstood. And, what did Jesus say? What did Jesus do? Doesn't he get preeminence? I seem to recall the picture of a bum laying in a gutter with a dog licking his wounds. How did Jesus handle that situation?  Of course we could go back and forth. One person would whip out a passage to support their position, I could whip out another to support my position. Where would that get us?

        I have already posited ( in many previous posts ) that in any such case, love should be the arbiter. And then too, I read one of the last lines of this passage today. Do not regard them as enemies, but warn them as believers. That seem rather interesting to me. It speaks to a different dynamic.  No forced will. No demands. A loving nudge perhaps but no two-by-fours. An acceptance that there can be love and acceptance of differences within the same community of the same faith.

        We place our lives and spiritual inheritance in great peril when we judge, fail to love and make no effort to understand our brothers and sisters.  Righteousness can be a vicious thing. It most frequently is.

         In a season that we try to see hope and love, we might be well served to open our eyes and hearts to those we do not understand or Agree with. That may be the most hopeful gift that Jesus gives us.

2 Thessalonians 3:6-18

 Now we command you, beloved, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from believers who are living in idleness and not according to the tradition that they received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; we were not idle when we were with you, and we did not eat anyone’s bread without paying for it; but with toil and labour we worked night and day, so that we might not burden any of you. This was not because we do not have that right, but in order to give you an example to imitate. For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: Anyone unwilling to work should not eat. For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work.Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. Brothers and sisters, do not be weary in doing what is right.

 Take note of those who do not obey what we say in this letter; have nothing to do with them, so that they may be ashamed. Do not regard them as enemies, but warn them as believers.

 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways. The Lord be with all of you.

 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. This is the mark in every letter of mine; it is the way I write. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you.