October 07 2026

October 07 Wednesday

2 Thessalonians 3:14-15

Correcting With Love

Welcome to Pastor’s Chat. Yesterday we closed with the wonderful encouragement of 2 Thessalonians 3:13: “But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good.” Today Paul continues with verses 14 and 15, and he deals with something that is not always easy—how do we respond to a fellow believer who refuses to obey the Word of God?

Paul writes: “And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.”

Remember the situation in Thessalonica. Some believers had apparently stopped working and were depending upon others to support them. Paul had already instructed them to work quietly and provide for themselves. Now he says that if someone deliberately refuses to obey this instruction, the church should take it seriously. Paul says, “note that person and do not keep company with him.” That sounds rather strong to us today, but we need to understand Paul's purpose. He wasn't trying to destroy the person. He was trying to restore the person. Paul says the purpose was “that he may be ashamed.” In other words, there should be enough love within the church that when someone deliberately chooses a path of disobedience, other believers care enough not simply to ignore it.

Sometimes we think love means never confronting anyone. But biblical love is willing to speak the truth. If I see someone I love walking toward danger, love doesn't remain silent. Love warns them. And spiritual correction should always have one goal—restoration. That becomes very clear in verse 15: “Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.” I love that statement. Paul says, Don't treat him like an enemy. Remember, he is your brother.

There is a tremendous difference between correcting someone because we are angry with them and correcting someone because we love them. We can be right in what we say and wrong in the spirit in which we say it. Galatians 6:1 gives us a similar instruction: “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness.” Notice that word—restore. The purpose of biblical correction is never revenge. It is never humiliation. It is never to prove that we are better than someone else. It is to help a brother or sister get back into a right relationship with the Lord.

And I believe there is an important lesson here for the church today. We live in a time when people often seem to go to one of two extremes. Sometimes we excuse almost anything in the name of love. At other times, Christians can become harsh and judgmental toward someone who has failed. Paul gives us a better way. Take sin seriously, but treat the sinner lovingly. Speak the truth, but speak it with grace. Stand for what is right, but never forget that the person you are correcting is someone for whom Jesus died.

I have often found through the years that people usually don't need someone standing over them telling them how badly they have failed. Many times they already know that. What they need is someone who loves them enough to tell them the truth and then help them find their way back. Jesus modeled that perfectly. He never compromised the truth, but He was always ready to receive the repentant sinner. Maybe you know someone today who has gotten away from the Lord. Don't give up on them. Don't treat them as an enemy. Pray for them. Love them.

And when God gives you the opportunity, lovingly encourage them to come back to the Lord. And perhaps today the Holy Spirit is using someone else's loving correction in our own lives. When that happens, instead of becoming defensive, we should ask: “Lord, is there something You are trying to show me?” A true friend doesn't always tell us what we want to hear. Sometimes a true friend loves us enough to tell us what we need to hear.

So let's remember Paul's words today: “Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.” May God help us to be people who stand firmly for truth while always demonstrating the love and grace of Jesus Christ.

Let's pray. Father, thank You for Your Word and for the way You lovingly correct us when we get away from You. Give us wisdom when we need to correct a brother or sister. Keep us from becoming harsh, judgmental, or self-righteous. Help us to speak the truth in love and always seek restoration rather than condemnation. And Lord, when we need correction ourselves, give us humble hearts that are willing to listen. Help us to love one another as brothers and sisters in Christ and to faithfully follow Your Word until Jesus comes. In His precious name we pray, Amen.

God bless, and may you have a wonderful, wonderful day!