LOVE & ENDURANCE

"May the Lord bring you
into an ever deeper understanding
of the love of God and
the endurance that comes from Christ."
2 Thessalonians 3:5
The Amplified Bible

The Thessalonians endured great persecution from the Jews. Paul and Silas were forced to leave the city after they were accused of teaching treasonous ideas. However, the Thessalonians were resilient and propagated the gospel of Jesus faithfully. They were known throughout Macedonia and Achaia (1 Thessalonians 1:8).
The church at Thessalonica expected the return of the Lord to happen at any time. The Thessalonians felt that since the Lord was soon to return there was no need to work. The Apostle Paul had to clarify that the return of the Lord was imminent, not immediate, meaning it was ready to take place but not accomplished without loss or interval of time. Paul corrected their perspective and exhorted them that although the Lord will come ‘as a thief in the night’ they were to work and live as if it were immediate. The apostle explained to them that before Christ would return, rebellion would be wide spread and a person who personified lawlessness and anarchy would appear.
Paul prayed earnestly for them in the midst of their persecution and waiting for Christ’s return. The two things Paul knew would help the church in Thessalonica endure to the end were a deep understanding of God’s love and patient endurance.
Knowing the depths and riches of God’s love would encourage and comfort them in their times of great persecution, waiting and trouble. Knowing, comprehending and experiencing the love of God would also cause them to love God and others to a greater degree. This love would also produce patient endurance in waiting for the return of the Lord. They would not be swerved from their deliberate purpose, loyalty to the faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings.
Although it has been said over and over again, Christ’s return truly is imminent. Like the Thessalonians, we must come to know the love of God in a deeper measure so that we will be able to persevere and endure in these last and perilous times. It is imperative that we be rooted and grounded in love so that we will be able to be filled with all the fullness of God and endure without blame until He returns.