“And we have confidence in
the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command
you. And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient
waiting for Christ” (2
Thessalonians 3:4-5).
Introduction
Paul was confident that the faithful God will keep, protect and guide the
believers through whatever situation they might face. This holds true for us
today, since we too await the Second Coming of Christ.
Obedience
If God has called us to salvation, then it follows that He expects us to
obey Him. Obedience has almost become a dirty word in the church today, but
without it we cannot be used by the Lord. This is why Paul demanded obedience to
the truth. "Obey them that have the
rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they
that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for
that is unprofitable for you" (Hebrews 13:17). There would be no basis
for Paul’s confidence in them if they refused to follow what he taught. "I
have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise
minded" (Galatians 5:10) ... "Being
confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will
perform it until the day of Jesus Christ" (Philippians 1:6).
Heart direction
Love and patience (endurance) are two of Paul’s themes in the letters
to the Thessalonians. True Christian love must be directed toward God first.
Love is both a commandment and an act of the will. "And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and
with all thy soul, and with all thy might" (Deuteronomy 6:5) … "And
thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and
with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first
commandment" (Mark 12:30).
Patience is that steadfast endurance that continues following Christ
despite the many difficulties that threaten to overload the believer. "Wherefore
seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us
lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us
run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author
and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the
cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of
God" (Hebrews 12:1-2). Sometimes the trials that come our way are
allowed by God to strengthen our faith. "My
brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this,
that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her
perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing"
(James 1:2-4).
The amazing thing is that patience is a manifestation of our love towards
God, so therefore cannot be separated. "Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity
vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh
not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in
iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things,
hopeth all things, endureth all things" (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). This
love and patience are the hallmark of genuine faith in Christ. "And
ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end
shall be saved" (Mathhew 10:22) ... "But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be
saved" (Matthew 24:13).
Conclusion
Without God’s intervention and power we could not love Him as we ought,
and neither would we remain steadfast in the faith. It is God who motivates our
hearts through His Holy Spirit to love and trust Him until the day we stand
before His throne. God will do His part, but we must do ours too. Are we willing
to obey the Lord despite the cost? "Wherefore,
my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much
more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it
is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure"
(Philippians 2:12-13).
© 4/12/2008