God’s Love and Christ’s Perseverance (Patience)

‘May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.’2 Thessalonians 3:5

     When Paul writes to Thessalonians they were in a confusing situation as we are today. Paul’s desire was that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly, and be honored. They may be delivered from wicked and evil men. The Lord is faithful and he will strengthen and protect them from the evil one. He commands the people that God will lead them to the love of God and to Christ’s patience.

    God's love is called Agape love which cannot be described. Definition 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7 – ‘Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking. It is not easily angered. It keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres.’ It is unconditional and sacrificial love.
Unconditional love is expressed in His creation of mankind, protection and sustaining and His saving grace. It is also unfailing love. Sacrificial love is completed in giving for us His own Son Jesus Christ. “For God so LOVED the world he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

   Jeremiah 13:17 and 14:17 “But if you do not listen, I will weep in secret because of your pride, my eyes will weep bitterly, overflowing with tears…” He even cries because of our pride. What should we do to show our love in return? Levi 19:18, 34 “Love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.”

Deuteronomy 30:20 “Love the Lord your God, listen to his voice.
Malachi 1:6, 8 Give your best to God. Fear his name with love.

Jesus’ patience:

Definition: Submission, Meekness, Waiting patiently for His father’s time, Calmness in suffering, Contentment etc. The three years Jesus spent on this earth in all aspects of His life, He showed patience.

1.  It is exhibited in his childhood Luke 2:42 - 52
2.  In the Public ministry
3. Patience with his disciples
4. Forty days in the wilderness and during the temptations 
5. At the end in the garden of Gethsemane, during His final trials and while hanging on the cross. He endured the cross.

     ‘Who, being the very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a SERVANT, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death- even death on a cross! Philippians 2:6-8
‘He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so did not open his mouth.’ Isaiah 53:7
‘He committed no sin and no deceit was found in his mouth. When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.’
I Peter 2:22-24
‘To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow IN HIS STEPS.’ I Peter 2:21

PRAYER:
    Dear Lord, please help us to love you more. Fill us with your love and patience so that we can live like your children in this world, in Jesus’ name. AMEN

Shared by:Sis.Sundari
6/12/2014