How are you supposed to treat a former member of the church after they have fallen away?  Say, for example, they want to meet up and take the kids to the park or catch a movie.

Sincerely,
Standing Up To The Fallen

Dear Standing Up To The Fallen,

When a brother or sister falls away, purposeful distance is our greatest tool to save their souls.  God tells churches to withdraw from brethren who deliberately return to a sinful lifestyle (2 Thess 3:6).  We should appeal with gentle and loving words in hopes of bringing them back to the Lord (2 Thess 3:15), but when that doesn’t work, we must show them our conviction by kindly, but firmly, refusing to keep company with them (1 Cor 5:11-13).  There isn’t anything that speaks louder than actions.  If you make it clear that the distance is done out of love and not out of hate… you will leave a message that might just cause them to reconsider.

Not really a question, but a statement about myself.  I don't know if I'm ready to be saved.  I have so many resentment and anger issues that I feel like aggression and hatred are the only things that fuel me.  I often thought of killing myself for many years.  I have asked for God's help before and have been desperately yearning for someone who cared enough about me to teach me, but I have received no answer, no one.  I guess everyone must think that my life is not worthy of their counsel, either that or these so-called "good people" are just a bunch of liars and charlatans.

I believe if I become saved, I won’t be used to the best of my abilities; I'll be put in a mediocre position and never get to go as deep spiritually as I need to and long for.  I'm not sure if anyone will ever read this since I have done this on other sites before and didn't get a response, but if anyone does see this, AT LEAST consider my situation for a split second.

Sincerely,
Ready For Salvation?

Dear Ready For Salvation,

We would LOVE to put you in contact with a local preacher in your area who would be more than willing to teach you.  Just e-mail us at askyourpreacher@mvchurchofchrist.org, and we will get a class set up for you.  If, and when, you become a christian, your level of growth will be up to you.  Php 2:12 says that we must all work out our own salvation – you can grow and be involved as a christian as much as you are willing to work.  Everyone comes to Christ with baggage and a history, but the key is to not let the past define you.  Let the Bible define you (Lk 6:47-49).  We can’t speak to your past experiences, but we can certainly give you an option for the future.  Let us help you to start studying now.  Let today be your day of salvation (2 Cor 6:2).  We responded to your call for help.  Now it is your turn to respond!

Could you please give me an overview of what Paul is saying in 2 Thessalonians 3?  I sincerely thank you in advance.

Sincerely,
Looking For Cliff Notes

Dear Looking For Cliff Notes,

2 Thessalonians 3 is the final chapter of Paul’s second letter to the church in Thessalonica.  The Thessalonian church was a very young church that had already suffered a great deal of persecution (Acts 17:1-9).  This chapter can be broken into three major sections:

1. In the beginning of the chapter, Paul asks the brethren to pray for him (2 Thess 3:1-2) and reminds them to never stop obeying the Scriptures (2 Thess 3:4).
2. The second section deals with a problem in the church.  There were people in the congregation who were lazy and living off the kindness of others (2 Thess 3:6).  Paul commanded them to stop enabling this lazy behavior and to rebuke these brethren, so that they would get to work and stop taking advantage of others (2 Thess 3:10-12).
3. The last section is full of some final words of encouragement.  Paul urges them to never give up or grow weary (2 Thess 3:13), to stand firm, and discipline unruly brethren (2 Thess 3:14-15).  And last, but not least, he reminds them of how much he loves them (2 Thess 3:17-18).

5 minutes a day
5 days a week
1 New Testament in a year

There are 261 weekdays in a year, and there are 260 chapters in the New Testament. By reading one chapter, Monday through Friday, you will read the whole New Testament by the end of the year. The Daily Cup series is to help with that goal.

Happy Studying!

"The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup." -- Psalm 16:5

Click here for a pdf of the study schedule - CLICK HERE

5 minutes a day
5 days a week
1 New Testament in a year

There are 261 weekdays in a year, and there are 260 chapters in the New Testament. By reading one chapter, Monday through Friday, you will read the whole New Testament by the end of the year. The Daily Cup series is to help with that goal.

Happy Studying!

"The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup." -- Psalm 16:5

Click here for a pdf of the study schedule - CLICK HERE