Wednesday, 4th November 2026
Rev Xi An Poon
主題經文：「願主引導你們的心，叫你們愛神，並學基督的忍耐。」——帖撒羅尼迦後書3:5
「弟兄們，你們行善不可喪志。」
——帖撒羅尼迦後書3:13
引言
家人，今天的世界充滿變動，當我們看到戰爭、災難和各種令人不安的消息，可能會問：「主是不是快要再來了？」然而，在關心將來的同時，我們有沒有思想：「今天，我應該怎樣生活？」
帖撒羅尼迦教會當時正面對逼迫，也有人傳說主的日子已經到了，使信徒感到驚慌。保羅在第二章澄清這些錯誤信息，到了第三章，就把他們的目光帶回實際的生活：教會中有些人不肯工作，反而好管閒事。
經文沒有直接說，他們是因為等候主再來而停止工作；但保羅清楚提醒他們，信仰應當影響每天的生活。
這也呼應耶穌宣告天國近了，要人悔改的呼召。悔改包含方向的轉變：當我們發現自己的思想和行動偏離神，就願意轉回，照着神的話生活。
讓我們一起讀這一章，讓神的話光照我們，看看所相信的，怎樣成為所活出來的。
一、靠主站穩信心
「但主是信實的，要堅固你們，保護你們脫離那惡者。」
——帖撒羅尼迦後書3:3
「願主引導你們的心，叫你們愛神，並學基督的忍耐。」
——帖撒羅尼迦後書3:5
保羅在本章開始，請信徒為他們禱告，使主的道能夠傳開，也使他們脫離惡人的攔阻。
保羅自己正在面對困難，卻仍然關心福音的傳揚。他也提醒教會：雖然不是人人都有信心，但主是信實的，必堅固、保守他們。
所以，信徒站穩的根基，是主的信實。即使環境仍有壓力，我們仍可以倚靠他，繼續走當走的路。
保羅接着求主引導他們的心，使他們更深體會神的愛，學習基督的堅忍。信心需要這樣的成長：在困難中仍相信神愛我們，在等候中仍願意持守他的話。
家人，我們遇到壓力時，很容易讓焦慮決定我們的反應，讓情緒帶領我們說話。這時候，我們需要回到主面前，求他引導我們的心。
今天，面對一件令我們不安的事情，我們可以先停下來禱告：「主啊，你是信實的。求你幫助我，今天仍照你的話走下去。」
二、忠心承擔責任
「我們靠主耶穌基督吩咐、勸戒這樣的人，要安靜做工，吃自己的飯。」
——帖撒羅尼迦後書3:12
教會中有些人不照所領受的教導生活，不肯工作，卻好管閒事。保羅因此吩咐他們，要安靜做工，承擔自己的生活。
這是他們早已聽過的教導。保羅也曾親自作榜樣，在他們中間晝夜勞苦工作，盡可能不增加別人的負擔。
因此，問題在於他們是否願意把所領受的教導實行出來。
這裏責備的是「不肯工作」的人，並非因疾病、年老或其他限制而不能工作的人。對有需要的人，我們仍然應當關懷和幫助。
家人，信仰會改變我們對責任的態度。在家庭中照顧家人，在工作上誠實認真，在學習上盡力，在答應別人的事情上守信，都是活出信仰的地方。
有時候，我們很關心別人應該怎樣改變，卻忽略了自己應當完成的事情。保羅的提醒，把我們帶回自己的責任面前。
今天，我們可以思想：有沒有一件應該做的事，我一直拖延？有沒有一份本來屬於我的責任，我一直讓別人承擔？
若神的話光照了我們，就讓我們從一個具體的行動開始調整。生命方向的轉變，會在這些每天的選擇中顯明出來。
三、持續行善愛人
「弟兄們，你們行善不可喪志。」
——帖撒羅尼迦後書3:13
「但不要以他為仇人，要勸他如弟兄。」
——帖撒羅尼迦後書3:15
當教會中有人不肯承擔責任，一直付出的人可能會疲倦、灰心，甚至不想再幫助人。
保羅因此提醒他們：「行善不可喪志。」別人的不當行為，不應使我們放棄神所喜悅的事。
同時，保羅也要求教會認真處理持續不聽勸戒的人。第14節所說的保持距離，是要使對方察覺問題、知羞醒悟。這樣的管教有清楚的界線，也有挽回人的目的。
所以，保羅緊接着說：「不要以他為仇人，要勸他如弟兄。」
家人，愛人需要耐心，也需要誠實。有時候，我們需要指出問題；但即使對方令我們失望，我們仍要記得，他是需要被挽回的弟兄。
在家庭、教會或工作中，我們都可能遇到需要勸戒人的時候。開口以前，可以先問自己：「我現在說這些話，是為了幫助他，還是為了發洩自己的不滿？」
求主使我們在疲倦中仍願意行善，在處理問題時仍存着愛，也願意接受別人對自己的提醒。
總結
家人，活出信仰的生命，就是讓神的話進入我們每天的生活。
我們靠主站穩信心，在壓力中仍信靠他的信實；我們忠心承擔責任，把所領受的教導實行出來；我們持續行善愛人，在面對問題時仍以挽回人為念。
當神的話指出我們的偏差，我們就願意轉回。這樣的回應，可以從今天的一件事開始：把憂慮帶到主面前，完成一份拖延的責任，或用合宜的態度與一個人說話。
保羅最後祝福教會：
「願賜平安的主隨時隨事親自給你們平安！願主常與你們眾人同在！」
——帖撒羅尼迦後書3:16
我們能繼續走下去，是因為主親自與我們同在。願我們在等候他的日子裏，每一天都活出所相信的生命。
主啊，感謝你是信實的。求你引導我們的心，使我們更深體會你的愛，學習基督的堅忍。光照我們生活中需要調整的地方，幫助我們忠心承擔責任，持續行善，以愛心待人。願你的平安在各樣處境中保守我們，使我們今天就活出所相信的生命。奉主耶穌基督的名禱告，阿們。
Key Verses: “May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.” —2 Thessalonians 3:5
“And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.”
—2 Thessalonians 3:13
Introduction
Church family, our world is full of change. When we hear about wars, disasters, and troubling events, we may ask, “Is the Lord coming back soon?” As we think about the future, we also need to ask, “How should I live today?”
The Thessalonian church was facing persecution. Some people were also saying that the day of the Lord had already come. This caused fear and confusion.
In chapter two, Paul corrected this false teaching. In chapter three, he brought their attention back to daily life. Some people in the church were unwilling to work and were interfering in other people’s affairs.
The passage does not directly say that they stopped working because they were waiting for Jesus to return. However, Paul clearly reminded them that their faith should shape their daily lives.
This also connects with Jesus’ call to repent when he announced that the kingdom of heaven was near. Repentance involves a change of direction. When we realise that our thoughts and actions have moved away from God, we turn back and follow his Word.
As we read this chapter, let us allow God’s Word to show us how to live out what we believe.
- Stand Firm in Faith through the Lord
“But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.”
—2 Thessalonians 3:3
“May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.”
—2 Thessalonians 3:5
Paul began by asking the believers to pray for him and his team. He wanted the message of the Lord to spread. He also asked for protection from wicked people.
Paul was facing difficulties, yet he continued to care about sharing the gospel. He reminded the church that although not everyone had faith, the Lord was faithful. The Lord would strengthen and protect them.
God’s faithfulness is the foundation of our faith. Even when life is difficult, we can depend on him and continue walking in his ways.
Paul also prayed that the Lord would guide their hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance. He wanted them to know God’s love more deeply and learn to endure as Christ did.
Church family, when we face pressure, worry can shape our reactions. Our emotions can control our words. At those moments, we need to come back to the Lord and ask him to guide our hearts.
Today, when something troubles us, we can pause and pray:
“Lord, you are faithful. Help me to keep following your Word today.”
- Faithfully Fulfil Our Responsibilities
“Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat.”
—2 Thessalonians 3:12
Some people in the church were not living according to the teaching they had received. They were unwilling to work and were interfering in other people’s affairs.
Paul told them to work quietly and provide for their own needs.
They had already heard this teaching. Paul had also shown them an example. While he was with them, he worked hard, night and day, so that he would not be a burden to them.
The question was whether they would put what they had learned into practice.
Paul was correcting those who were unwilling to work. He was not condemning people who could not work because of illness, old age, or other limitations. We should continue to care for people in need.
Church family, faith changes how we see our responsibilities.
We live out our faith when we care for our families, work honestly, study carefully, and keep our promises.
Sometimes, we pay close attention to what other people should change, while neglecting what we should do ourselves. Paul’s teaching brings us back to our own responsibilities.
Today, we can ask ourselves:
“Is there something I should do that I keep putting off? Have I left someone else to carry a responsibility that belongs to me?”
When God’s Word shows us where we need to change, let us respond with a practical step. A change of direction becomes visible through our daily choices.
- Keep Doing Good and Loving Others
“And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.”
—2 Thessalonians 3:13
“Yet do not regard them as an enemy, but warn them as you would a fellow believer.”
—2 Thessalonians 3:15
When some people refuse to take responsibility, those who keep helping may become tired and discouraged. They may even want to stop helping altogether.
Paul reminded them to keep doing good. Other people’s wrong behaviour should not cause us to give up doing what pleases God.
At the same time, Paul told the church to deal seriously with those who continued to reject his teaching. In verse 14, he instructed the believers to keep some distance from them. The purpose was to help them recognise their wrongdoing and turn back.
This discipline had a clear boundary and a loving purpose.
That is why Paul immediately reminded them to treat the person as a fellow believer, rather than an enemy.
Church family, loving others requires patience and honesty. Sometimes we need to address a problem. Even when someone disappoints us, we must remember that our purpose is to help that person return to the right path.
In our families, church, and workplace, we may need to correct someone. Before speaking, we can ask:
“Am I saying this to help this person, or to release my anger?”
May the Lord help us to keep doing good when we are tired, address problems with love, and accept correction ourselves.
Conclusion
Church family, living out our faith means allowing God’s Word to shape our daily lives.
We stand firm in faith through the Lord, trusting his faithfulness under pressure. We faithfully fulfil our responsibilities, putting his teaching into practice. We keep doing good and loving others, seeking to help people return to the right path.
When God’s Word shows us where we have gone wrong, we turn back to him.
We can begin with one thing today: bring a worry to the Lord, complete a responsibility we have delayed, or speak to someone with the right attitude.
Paul ended with this blessing:
“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.”
—2 Thessalonians 3:16
We can keep going because the Lord is with us. As we wait for his return, may we live out our faith every day.
Lord, thank you for your faithfulness. Guide our hearts into your love and help us to learn from Christ’s perseverance. Show us where our lives need to change. Help us to fulfil our responsibilities, keep doing good, and treat others with love. May your peace guard us in every situation, so that we live out our faith today. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
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