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All indolence is infectious. It may be contracted by contagion; but it may be a malaria with which the atmosphere is charged. However the evil is communicated, it captures men just in the measure of their predisposition to it. Not even an apostolic Church was free from the spell which paralyzes Christian energy in these later days. But Paul's greatest concern was for those who had not entirely given up godly effort, but were in danger of yielding to self-indulgent idleness. Surrounded as they are by cavillers, grumblers, and obstructionists, Christians at work run a great risk.

I. WEARINESS IMPLIES WORK.

1. There is a vast difference between weariness in and weariness of work. There is good hope for the first, but very little for the last. Like Gideon's three hundred, these Thessalonians were "faint, yet pursuing." Their enthusiasm was not as great as it had been, their schemes of aggression not so far-reaching, their blows not so vigorous; but they had not thought of becoming like Ephraim, who, "being armed and carrying bows, turned back in the day of battle." Yet they were somewhat infected by the indolence that was about them. Like the stupor of the Arctic frost-sleep, it is only to be cast off by renewed exertion.

2. What would all the promises of the heavenly rest be worth it Christians did not experience the fatigue, discouragement, and reaction of active effort. The comfort of home is just in proportion to the sense of weariness which business has wrought.

3. With every day's work for Jesus it becomes a more joyous thing to dare and do. Easier becomes His yoke and lighter His burden, till we in heaven with winged obedience follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth.

4. Be not cast down with the consciousness of flagging zeal. It is a plain proof that you have not always been a sluggard. The slothful man is weary only of idleness. Defraud Satan of his purpose by renewed consecration.

II. WORK EXPRESSES MOTIVE.

1. Force is never lost either in physics or morals. It changes its form and applications, but is never annihilated. The heat from the sun is not buried in sod or sea. It appears again in the exhalations which in time descend to give freshness, fulness, beauty to vegetation. The revolving wheels, ascending piston rod are all the story of the heat which is the motive force. It may propel a gigantic steamer through a boisterous sea, turn the spinning jenny or the corn mill; but however grand or commonplace the application, the motive is the same. And then the intensity of the cause appears in the effect. Precisely the amount of heat employed in machinery is distributed in the friction of its many parts.

2. The same holds good in the mental and moral forces.

(1) Work expresses and discriminates the measure and character of motive. Duty and love are two diametrically opposed incentives, and have a way of showing themselves in their achievements. There is a difference between prison labour and that outside the walls. Love for his last can make even a shoemaker an artist.

(2) Christian work follows the same rule. "If ye love Me, ye shall keep My commandments." What a difference between primitive Christianity with its constraining love of Christ, and mediaeval Christianity with its legalism and penances.

(3) But every Christian workman in the measure of his energy determines to what degree he is controlled by the love of Christ. Duty may do for a day, but love alone can govern a life. If you have been labouring as galley slaves it is no wonder that you are weary. If you have been counting your charities as so many compensations for your sins, your life must indeed be joyless.

III. FAILING MOTIVE MAKES FAINTING WORK. Love is always lavish. It does not stop to compute values. It breaks its alabaster and fills the house, the church, and the world with its fragrance before legalism has finished its calculation. If you are conscious of weariness, is it not because your estimate of the preciousness of Jesus has been dwarfed? And if you would be awakened to energy again you must contemplate first the fulness of His propitiatory work and the loveliness of His character, so that gratitude and love may twine together on the lattice of His promise, and bring forth much fruit that shall remain. Go measure the love of Calvary. Tell your soul again the gospel story. Be found "looking unto Jesus." Then shall your Christian work be an ever-growing delight.

(S. R. Tyng, jun.)

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KJV: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

WEB: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.