4 We have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you are doing and will continue to do what we command. 5 May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ. 2 Thessalonians 3:4–5
The church at Thessalonica was a model of what Paul wanted to see, but its growing pains were not easily addressed from afar. So the Apostle took special pains with the church, using Timothy as his emissary and at least two letters to provide direction and resolve issues. But perhaps it was time for them to stand on their own two feet in their pursuit of “the love of God” and the “steadfastness of Christ?”
Even in our own walks, there is a time when the hand-holding ends and we need to go it alone, so to speak. Sooner or later we need to be self-motivated, self-disciplined, and self-taught enough to stay the course, with only a Bible in our hands and the Spirit of God in our hearts.
Leave a Reply