2 Thessalonians 3:6-16 6In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. 7For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, 8nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. 9We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate. 10For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.” 11We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies. 12Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat. 13And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good. 14Take special note of anyone who does not obey our instruction in this letter. Do not associate with them, in order that they may feel ashamed. 15Yet do not regard them as an enemy, but warn them as you would a fellow believer. 16Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.
Yesterday we focused on prepositions. Today I cannot help but see all the predicates, or action words, jumping off our text. Here are just four action phrases that help to summarize our text:
· KEEP AWAY from idleness
· FOLLOW our example (e.g., Paul, Silas, and Timothy)
· WORK, LABOR, and TOIL so that you will not to be a burden to anyone
· NEVER TIRE of DOING what is right
I challenge you to go back through the entire passage and find as many other predicates (i.e., action words) as possible. Meanwhile, if we would simply focus on this brief list of actions provided, what a change we might see in our daily lives. Imagine the daily peace this could bring to us!
Gracious Heavenly Father, our LORD God Almighty,
Thank you for the fresh look at your Word. Challenge us to stay active in ways that honor you.
In the Name of Jesus Christ, our LORD and Savior, Amen.
The devotion Complete Predicates was originally written for Friday, September 27, 2013; for Maranatha Devotional Guide, an Advent Christian Publication https://acgc.us As the original author of this devotion, I reserve the right to update and share it on my current devotional blog Write From My Heart at https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com
Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com
Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
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