Persevering in Love – 2 Thessalonians 3:13
But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary of doing good.
“Enough! I have had enough!”
Thus says the one who having tolerated difficulty for a long season, rebels against the burden, abandoning faith, discharging the Lord, and seizing power. After enduring an unloving spouse, rude in-laws, an unpleasant neighbor, or a domineering boss beyond the self-imposed limits of grace, the beleaguered Christian returns unkindness for unkindness, pain for pain, anger for anger, exploding in bitter diatribes detailing the offender’s meticulously recorded injustices.
We are at perfect liberty to behave in like fashion in the exercise of the free will granted to us by God, and the world will probably encourage and even applaud us, yet Christ has designed a better way. Imagine accepting trials with grace and “letting endurance have its perfect result,” so we might “be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”[1] Imagine the glory upon glory when we are able to rejoice always, remaining serene though provoked, shining in gentleness before all, praying about everything with thanksgiving, and abiding in the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension.[2] Envision the joy of being imitators of God as we walk in love.[3]
This lofty place above circumstance can be ours if we will make faith our guiding light and shun the wicked one’s call to “curse God and die,”[4] or in our case, to curse God and do whatever seems good in our own sight. For though we may see the love-crafted results of our obedience and perseverance in a mirror dimly[5] or not at all, faith assures us that our Heavenly Father, who sees through the eyes of perfection, has reserved the “crown of life” for those who remain faithful under trial.[6]
Stay the course. Look
at the magnificence of creation, and anticipate the beauty of the royal diadem
you will receive in joy and grace from God’s hand. The sacrifice of your comfort and pride are
nothing compared to the glory of this reward.
Press on in loving, caring, and serving although another severely tries
your soul, trusting God to do a good work in and through you. Run the race with endurance and observe the
trophy of peace and the lei of kindness that await you for your
faithfulness. Do not grow weary of doing
good; wait patiently for the Lord, and as you persevere in love, He will bless
you, causing you to sing for joy over your victory as you raise His banner in
triumph.[7]
[1] James 1:4
[2] Philippians 4:4-7
[3] Ephesians 5:1-2
[4] Job 2:9
[5] 1 Corinthians 13:12
[6] James 1:12
[7] Psalm 20:5
