Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with you; and that we will be rescued from perverse and evil men; for not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of that person and do not associate with him, so that he will be put to shame. Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance. The Lord be with you all! I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand, and this is a distinguishing mark in every letter; this is the way I write.
In order to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, one needs to model the way he lives his life. Paul has planted gentile churches who were not familiar with the Law of Moses. Although Paul's message is a message of justification by grace apart from works, for the one who has taken Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, this person needs to model Christ's life style as an example to those who have not come to faith. Paul imitated Jesus' conduct and gave it as an example to the church. He explains to them here, that if someone begins acting like the world and not the church, then discipline this one and cut them off, but don't treat them as a sinner, but as one who needs to be brought back into conformance with Christ Jesus. Paul writes this with his own hand as an imperative to those who receive and circulate his command.
Daily Prayer: Father, we live the Christ-like life, not in the flesh, but in the Spirit. I must put my Helper in charge of my life so that I may be purified as a holy example as one who has been saved and so that the enemy does not take my life as an opportunity to deny the work or the grace of Jesus Christ. Let it be then, according to your will. I pray in Jesus name Amen.
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