And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right. (2 Thess. 3:13)
MY ADVICE OFTEN SEEMED basic to me. I remember, as a school counselor, coaching parents on how to talk to their children, how to build better communication with teachers, how to find resources in the community, and how to help their children prepare academically for life after high school. I often worried the information was simple or obvious, but that wasn’t typically the case. What I viewed as common sense was not known by parents. Or maybe they just needed to be reminded about things they’d known and to be affirmed in their beliefs.
Paul made certain the church at Thessalonica understood the expectations for Christian living. Some had come to believe they should just wait in anticipation for the return of Christ, ignoring their obligations and responsibilities. Paul assured them this wasn’t the case, and he warned of sinful behaviors that result when Christians aren’t busy at the task of building God’s kingdom.
Someone once said that when faced with a difficult decision in life, we should “just always do the right thing.” I’ve observed prudent folks faced with the temptation to buy something ask themselves simply, “Do I need this?” However, what should be simple is not always so.
Though we don’t have Paul here to personally advise us, we do have God’s Word to consult each day—on all the complicated and simple matters we face in life.
Choose always to do what is right; read His Word to be sure what that is.
Hally Franz is a former high school guidance counselor turned stay-at-home mom. She enjoys being a 4-H leader, church secretary, book club member, and traveler.
