Hearts Directed into the Love of God and Waiting for Christ 2 Thessalonians 3:5

Paul the apostle had “confidence in the Lord” concerning the Thessalonian church members as he knew they were doing and would do “the things” he and his traveling companions commanded. In chapter three and verse five of this second letter to the Thessalonians, Paul shared how he wanted “the Lord” to “direct” their “hearts into the love of God” and the “patient waiting for Christ” where we read:

And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.

The verse begins, “And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God,...” Paul began with the words, “And the Lord” which refers to “he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master and the title given to God the Messiah” “direct” or “make straight, guide and remove the hindrances which are coming to one” “your hearts” which means “the middle, central or inmost part of all physical and spiritual life” “into the love” which is the Greek word “agapē” which means “affection, good will, benevolence and unconditional brotherly love” “of God” which refers to “the Godhead bodily and trinity comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit”. Paul's prayer and desire for the Thessalonian church members was for the Lord Jesus to “guide” them into His unconditional love, and he wanted the Lord to remove all hindrances for them doing so.

The verse goes on to say, “... and into the patient waiting for Christ.” Paul continued, “and into the patient waiting” which means “steadfastness, constancy, endurance and perseverance” “for Christ” which means “the anointed One” and refers to “the Messiah who is the Son of God”. Not only did Paul desire God's “unconditional love” to be among the Thessalonians, but he also wanted them to persevere in waiting for Jesus Christ's return.

As we think about Paul's words, we too are exhorted by Paul. We should make it our prayer for our hearts to be “directed” “into the love of God”, and let us learn to be “patient” as we “wait for Christ” to return. Even though opposition to the gospel of Jesus is found in the world, we are to “love” as God loves and be in expectation of His return at any time. Jesus was sent to the world to redeem people from their sins, and because He died upon the cross and rose from the dead, everyone who believes in Him may be saved. After He rose from the grave, He ascended into heaven where angels promised He would return, and until that time we are to share His “love” with everyone we encounter. May we be “directed into the love of God”, and realize as we “patiently wait” for His return, we are to be examples of the gospel of Jesus Christ for all the world to see.

Next time Paul tells the Thessalonians to “withdraw” themselves “from every brother that walks disorderly”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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