Disorderly Conduct - 2 Thessalonians 3:1-6

3:1 - Paul ends this epistle to the Thessalonians with some final words of counsel about how to run the church society. First, he asks for the saints to "pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified." I've heard this sentiment before, that we should be praying for church leadership and for the gospel to be able to go everywhere and I've never really done it because it's like "the gospel is going to go wherever it is going to go, I don't think that Jesus is waiting for me to ask him before he sends it to Antarctica" or whatever. So if the timeline doesn't depend on us asking, why would he want us to ask? Maybe it's so that we can remove any sense of entitlement from ourselves, like that we are special because we have the gospel and so many other people don't. It also might help us see the gospel as a need for all people and therefore we might be more inclined to share it ourselves. Maybe it allows us to see how the gospel can change all circumstances for all people because of God's blessings and people's characters changing. What I mean is that maybe we can see how war torn areas of the world might not be so if the gospel was there because people might resist the temptations that come with seeking power for personal gain. And maybe if we prayed for church leadership then we are more likely to be obedient to their counsel after we've received our own confirmation of the truth, like Paul advised last chapter. 3:2-5 - When talking about the missionaries being delivered from "unreasonable and wicked men," there's an interesting phrase at the end of verse 2 which says, "for all men have not faith." This is something to consider because it seems to imply that there are people out there who are incapable of learning about the gospel, which I had not thought was possible before. I don't like to call people "evil" because I don't feel like that is a title that truly applies to very many people, but maybe I'm wrong about that. But these man who have not faith, Paul assures the saints that "the lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil." He's confident that they will keep his prophetic counsel and be directed in their hearts "into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ." 3:6 - There must have been some church members who were causing a ruckus in Thessalonica because this is the second time Paul has discussed the "disorderly" in this short epistle alone. He tells the regional leadership to "withdraw yourselves" from those who are disorderly. The word "disorderly" is cross-referenced with Romans 1:17-19 which talks about those who "cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine… For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly." I think that this would include people who openly disagree with doctrine in a way that is not conducive to the truth. There is nothing wrong with disagreeing with doctrine and then turning to God for the truth, but there is a problem when you disagree with doctrine and then instead of wanting an answer, using this disagreement to not only destroy your own faith but that of other members. It's like with the "ordain women" movement. I can understand some women wanting to be ordained to the priesthood. I don't want that even a little bit, but I can see where maybe some women might want that and that's totally ok. The problem comes in when the answer is "no" and instead of seeking for clarification from God, people started condemning the Church publicly. I mean, it's a church, you aren't mandated by law to attend, if you disagree with the doctrine, then maybe take some time to reflect on why you feel that way, what can God tell you about this policy, and if there's not something out there that might better fit your beliefs. I don't want people to leave the church, but I also know that there is a process to conversion and if someone disagrees with the Church and is not interested in turning to the Lord for guidance, then they are not at the point in their conversion process that the Church is going to work for them. They have other steps that they have to take first, in their own personal path to conversion. And we have to remember that conversion is an eternal process, or at least, it's not limited to this life. Our personal conversion didn't start in this life and it doesn't end in this life. Those who are "disorderly" have other needs that they need to fill before they can come back and revisit the idea of the gospel in their lives. Does that mean that we shun them? Treat them with contempt? Of course not. I thought that it said somewhere in here, but I can't find it now, something like "warn them as a brother," which would mean be friends with them and offer pertinent advice as needed. Interestingly Paul tells them to "withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly." The word "withdraw" is cross-referenced with 1 Corinthians 5:1-13 and two parts of Alma where they talk about excommunicating those who not in keeping with the commandments of the Church. This might seem a little bit harsh but we have to remember that excommunication is the first step to repentance for those who are subjected to it. It takes humility and self-reflection to get there, but it happens. And excommunication must come from priesthood authority and through the leadership's own humility and personal revelation about those in their stewardship. It's a serious matter and must be given much respect.