Disorderly

Many diseases display physical symptoms. Some symptoms appear to be more than one disease. Beloved Husband’s hands were obviously shaking as though he were losing muscular control. The first thought was that this was a symptom of Parkinson’s, a progressive disease.

Instead of worrying about was it was and what would come next, a trip to Dr. Mac got us an appointment with a gentleman who appeared to be Marcus Welby. Honestly! For those of you too young to recognize the name, sorry. Tall, slender, tailor-fitted suited, a sculptured head of white hair, a demeanor designed to acknowledge ability and provide assurance.

A few tests and a diagnosis that has proven true – BET (Benign Essential Tremors.) There is no cure, but the progression is very slow and there is medication that helps.

There are symptoms displayed in other things that require attention. A leaking faucet let’s us know attention is required. The scratch of metal-to-metal bears investigation. A fragrance of heated wiring sends us looking for the source. These are all symptoms.

Paul describes a symptom in his epistle.

Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. (2 Thessalonians 3:6 KJV)

He’s not talking about the unsaved. He’s not talking about a family member. He’s talking about the Christian sitting in the pew at church.

Disorderly covers a multitude of possibilities.

Matthew Henry’s Bible commentary states these disorderly brethren do not “ ,,, govern themselves according to the rules of Christianity, nor agreeably to their profession of religion; not according to the precepts delivered by the apostle, which they had received, and pretended to pay a regard to. Note, It is required of those who have received the gospel, and who profess a subjection to it, that they live according to the gospel. If they do not, they are to be counted disorderly persons.”

The sad thing is that this has applied to my own life. There have been times I did not live according to the gospel. I did not attend church regularly. I did not speak of my faith to others. Both of those are expected of Christians. I lied. That is not expected of Christians, no matter how “white” the lie might have been. Revelation 21:8 does not omit the white lies of convenience.

These disorderly people also are described in another verse.

For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. (2 Thessalonians 3:11 KJV)

That’s not confined to ladies, dear gentlemen. And there are remedies when the diagnosis is confirmed.

And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. (2 Thessalonians 3:14-15 KJV)

Don’t ignore the disorderly – even within ourselves. Take time to study this third chapter with some commentaries, while looking into our own eyes before removing motes from others.

(Wikipedia Commons: Gustave Doré - Miguel de Cervantes - Don Quixote - Part 1 - Chapter 1 - Plate 1

"A world of disorderly notions, picked out of his books, crowded into his imagination".)