Sometimes You Have to Walk Away

The next paragraph in 2 Thessalonians speaks to how we should live and how to treat those who do not follow Jesus.  These next words are very sobering:  ^“6 But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us. “  What do you when those you care about become “disorderly” and no longer seek to follow Jesus?  I don’t believe that a “one size fits all” approach is usually very effective.  And this command is difficult…it seems to go against the idea of loving my neighbor or my enemy…but does it?  Is “withdrawing” actually the loving thing to do?  I think it depends on how you withdrawal.  I don’t believe we do the disorderly one any good by pretending that the disorderly behavior is helpful.  Rather, by withdrawing in a compassionate way, you communicate that you love someone enough to show them the error of his ways. I think this is what Paul has in mind. By withdrawing, you put the other person in a position to be drawn back by God.  Sometimes you have to walk away but your withdrawal should always be done in love and in anticipation of God drawing the wayward one back to Himself.