Has this happened to you? You have a get-together with some friends. You make all the arrangements and plan to have a great time, but once everyone has arrived, one of the guests is in a sour mood and immediately drags everyone else down with them.
Group dynamics are an interesting thing. When we get together, we can increase our productivity, connection, reach and have a number of other benefits. However, the success of the group can be severely hindered by one weak member. One injury, bad attitude or disagreement can halt any efforts from progressing. This is even true within the church.
In the closing of 2 Thessalonians, Paul warns the church to not get dragged down by disorderly brethren. While the church is trying to faithfully do the work of the Lord, there may be some who are disobedient, selfish, lazy, or nosy (2 Thess. 3:6-11). If we are not careful, they can easily cause problems in the church. The faithful may become overworked by picking up their slack or be tempted to fall into the same sins. As Paul said to the Galatians, “A little leaven leavens the whole lump” (Gal. 5:9).
What do we do when this happens? Of course, if the brother will not repent, the church must disfellowship from him. Paul says, “…withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly…and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed” (2 Thess. 3:6, 14). No one wants to disfellowship a brother, but it may be the only option left to protect the integrity of the congregation and convince the brother to repent.
Disfellowship is an important command of the church. But, within Paul’s command is an attitude that is far more important. Paul writes, “But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good” (2 Thess. 3:13). When the disobedient or lazy brother departs, their example still lingers, and the neglected work remains to be done. We cannot let it discourage us!
We must have an attitude that refuses to be swayed by the misdeeds of another. When a Christian bends the scriptures to fit their sinful behaviors, we cannot allow ourselves to do the same. When the work of the church is piling up and we are fatigued by the slack left by another, we cannot let it go undone. Like Paul, we need to determine in our hearts that we will labor and toil night and day if we have to so that the work gets done (v. 8). Instead of giving up, we need to “…be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord…” (1 Cor. 15:58).
The church thrives when we work together for the cause of Christ. Sometimes a bad apple gets in the mix. Don’t let them drag you down. Instead, commit yourself to step up in their place and never grow weary in doing good.