Love and Steadfastness

In 2 Thessalonians 3 Paul gave a pre-benediction before a couple more (verses 16 and 18) to end the letter. In verse 4 he wrote, “May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.”

Christ is God, and also the Son is not the Father, and we are likely reading a reference to both persons. For that matter, all of God’s attributes, not just His love, are worth attention and affection in our hearts, and Christ did more than merely model endurance.

But we do not always have to remember all the things all the time. We couldn’t if we wanted to as finite beings. So this prayer of blessing focuses us, or rather, is a blessing that the Lord direct our hearts.

“The love of God” how rich and pure, how measureless and strong. The “love of God endures all the day” (Psalm 52:1). The love of God sent His Son. The love of God demonstrated in Christ when He died for the unlovely. The love of God shed abroad in our hearts by the Spirit.

And “the steadfastness of Christ.” Has anyone ever endured what He did? He was “stricken, smitten, and afflicted.” “He was despised and rejected” (Isaiah 53:3-4). He knew the weight of the sin of the world. He could have called the whole thing off at any point. “Christ endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2).

So “Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted” (Hebrews 12:3).

The bread and wine remind you of the love of God and the steadfastness of Christ. Eat and drink that you might keep heart.