2 Thessalonians chapter 3 verse 5 (NIV)
May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.
2 Thessalonians chapter 3 verse 13 (NIV)
And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.
I’m sensing a bit of a theme this week. Verse 5 in this chapter of 2 Thessalonians jumped out at me this morning because of that word perseverance again. This time it comes almost in the form of a prayer by Paul for the Thessalonians church. He seeks for the Lord to direct their hearts into God’s love, but also just as importantly into Christ’s perseverance. I think that may have been because of what he says in a few verses further on. He counsel them never to tire of doing good. In other words to persevere. Jesus never tired of doing good. Whilst there were always crowds looking for a touch from Him, there were plenty who criticised or rebuffed His actions. We should, as His followers, expect no less. Not everyone will appreciate our efforts to behave like Christ towards them. But that doesn’t mean that we should change our behaviour towards them. They are lives that Jesus paid the ultimate sacrifice for, and that’s why we should persevere.
Dear Lord,
Just as You never gave up on me, may I also never give up on others because You love them. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.