QT 23/09/2026 Wed 2Thessalonians 3 While We Wait, Get to Work! 在等待期间，要积极工作！

QT 23/09/2026 Wed 2Thessalonians 3 While We Wait, Get to Work!
READ https://www.esv.org/2+Thessalonians+3/

What should Christians be doing while waiting for Jesus to return? Sitting back—or getting to work? In 2 Thessalonians 3, Paul gives us a powerful reminder: pray faithfully, work diligently, and never grow weary in doing good. Let’s discover how to live while we wait for Christ!

In 2 Thessalonians 3, Paul brings his teaching about Christ's return into everyday life. Knowing that Jesus will return should not cause us to become passive or careless. Instead, eternal hope should produce faithful living today. Paul highlights three important truths:

(1) Pray for the spread of the Gospel (2 Thessalonians 3:1–5)

Paul begins by asking the believers to pray that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honoured. This is remarkable. Even Paul, a great apostle, understood that the advance of the Gospel depends on God's power.

He also asks for prayer for protection from wicked and evil people. Our response is clear:
*Pray for the Gospel.
*Pray for God's servants.
*Pray for faithfulness.

Verse 3 gives great encouragement: “But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.” Our confidence is not ultimately in our own strength. Our confidence is in the faithfulness of God.

(2) Work faithfully while waiting for Christ (2 Thessalonians 3:6–12)

Some believers had become idle and were living irresponsibly, apparently using the expectation of Christ's return as an excuse not to work. Paul strongly corrects this attitude:

“If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.”

Paul himself had demonstrated the right example. He worked hard so that he would not be a burden to others. The lesson is important: Waiting for Jesus does not mean doing nothing for Jesus. We are called to be faithful in our families, workplaces, churches, responsibilities, and relationships.

Christian hope should produce responsibility, not laziness. We don't work because we are trying to earn God's salvation. We work because we have already received His grace and want our lives to honour Him.

(3) Do not grow weary in doing good (2 Thessalonians 3:13–15)

Paul gives a simple but powerful encouragement: “As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good.”

Sometimes doing good becomes tiring. We pray, but answers seem slow. We serve, but nobody notices. We forgive, but people hurt us again. We give, but there seems to be little result. Yet Paul says: Don't give up.

Our faithfulness is not wasted because God sees what others may not see. At the same time, Paul tells the believers to lovingly correct those who refuse to follow the teaching. Christian love does not mean ignoring wrong behavior. Correction should be done as a brother, not as an enemy.

The Big Picture:  2 Thessalonians 3 gives us a practical picture of what Christian living should look like while we wait for Christ:
*Pray faithfully.
*Work faithfully.
*Live responsibly.
*Do good continually.
*Don't grow weary.

The return of Christ is not an invitation to withdraw from our responsibilities. It is a motivation to live with greater purpose.

Key Takeaway
Jesus is coming—so let's keep working, keep praying, and keep doing good. We don't know exactly when Christ will return, but we know what we should be doing when He does: faithfully serving Him.

Reflection Questions
*Am I actively serving God and others while waiting for Christ, or have I become spiritually passive?
*What responsibility has God given me that I need to take more seriously?
*Where am I tempted to grow weary in doing good, and how can I trust God's faithfulness and keep going?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You that You are faithful and that You will strengthen and guard Your children. Help us to pray faithfully, work diligently, and serve You with willing hearts. When we become tired or discouraged, give us strength not to grow weary in doing good. May our lives honour Christ as we wait for His return. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

QT 23/09/2026 星期三 帖撒罗尼迦后书 3 在等待期间，要积极工作！
阅读 http://m.bbintl.org/bible/ncv/2ts/3/

在等待耶稣再来期间，基督徒应该做些什么？是坐等——还是积极工作？在《帖撒罗尼迦后书》第3章中，保罗给了我们一个有力的提醒：要恒切祷告，勤奋工作，行善不可丧志。让我们一起来探索，在等待基督的日子里该如何生活！

在《帖撒罗尼迦后书》第3章中，保罗将关于基督再来的教导融入了日常生活。知道耶稣必将再来，不应使我们变得被动或漫不经心。相反，永恒的盼望应当促使我们在今天活出忠心的人生。保罗强调了三个重要的真理：

(1) 为福音的传播祷告（帖撒罗尼迦后书3:1–5）

保罗首先请求信徒们祷告，愿主的话语迅速传扬并得着尊荣。这一点非常值得注意。即便是伟大的使徒保罗，也明白福音的传播取决于神的权能。

他还请求大家为免受邪恶之人的侵害而祷告。我们的回应很明确：
*为福音祷告。
*为神的仆人祷告。
*为忠心祷告。

第3节给了我们极大的鼓励：“但主是信实的，他必坚固你们，保护你们脱离那恶者。” 我们的信心最终并非在于自己的力量，而在于神的信实。

(2) 在等候基督期间要忠心工作（帖撒罗尼迦后书3：6–12）

有些信徒变得懒惰，过着不负责任的生活，显然是把对基督再来的期待当作不工作的借口。保罗严厉地纠正了这种态度：“如果有人不肯作工，就不可吃饭。”

保罗本人就树立了正确的榜样。他辛勤工作，以免成为他人的负担。这其中蕴含的重要教训是：等候耶稣并不意味着为耶稣什么都不做。我们被呼召要在家庭、职场、教会、各项职责以及人际关系中忠心耿耿。

基督徒的盼望应当带来责任感，而非懒惰。我们工作并非为了赚取神的救恩。我们劳作，是因为我们已经领受了祂的恩典，并愿用生命来荣耀祂。

(3) 行善不可丧志（帖撒罗尼迦后书 3:13–15）

保罗给出了一个简单却有力的鼓励：“弟兄们，你们行善不可灰心。”

有时行善会让人感到疲惫。我们祷告，但回应似乎迟迟不来。我们服事，却无人留意。我们原谅了，别人却再次伤害我们。我们奉献了，却似乎收效甚微。然而保罗说：不要放弃。

我们的忠心不会白费，因为神看见了别人可能看不到的。与此同时，保罗嘱咐信徒要满有爱心地纠正那些拒绝遵行教导的人。基督徒的爱并不意味着对错误行为视而不见。纠正应当以弟兄的身份进行，而不是以敌人的身份。

全局视野：《帖撒罗尼迦后书》第3章为我们描绘了一幅生动的图景，展现了我们在等候基督期间，基督徒生活应当呈现的样貌：
*忠心祷告。
*忠心工作。
*负责任地生活。
*持续行善。
*不要灰心。

基督的再来并非让我们逃避责任，而是激励我们以更明确的目标去生活。

关键要点
耶稣即将再来——因此，让我们继续工作、继续祷告、继续行善。虽然我们不知道基督确切何时再来，但我们知道祂再来时我们该做什么：忠心事奉祂。

反思问题
*在等候基督降临的同时，我是否正在积极地事奉神和他人，还是在属灵上变得消极被动了？
*神赋予了我哪些责任，是我需要更加认真对待的？
*在行善的过程中，我容易在哪些方面感到疲倦？我该如何信靠神的信实并坚持下去？

祷告

天父，感谢祢信实可靠，感谢祢必坚固并保守祢的儿女。求祢帮助我们忠心祷告、勤勉工作，并怀着甘心乐意的心事奉祢。当我们感到疲倦或灰心时，求祢赐给我们力量，使我们在行善的事上不致疲倦。愿我们在等候基督再来之际，以生命荣耀基督。奉耶稣的名祷告，阿们。