_A MINISTERIAL REQUEST_ ‘Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men.’ 2 Thessalonians 3:1 As at the close of the First Epistle, so now, as St. Paul hastens... [ Continue Reading ]
_UNFATHOMABLE LOVE_ ‘The Lord direct your hearts into the love of God.’ 2 Thessalonians 3:5 Sin is sin, because ‘God is love,’ and the degree of the love is the measure of the sin. He who never knew light can never know darkness; and it is the brightest sunshine which makes the deepest shadow. I... [ Continue Reading ]
_PATIENT WAITING_ ‘And the Lord direct your hearts … into the patient waiting for Christ.’ 2 Thessalonians 3:5 There is no precipitance with God. St. Paul prays for the Thessalonians, ‘The Lord direct your heart into the love of God, and into the patience of Christ.’ And, perhaps, it will hereaft... [ Continue Reading ]
_GAMBLING_ ‘If any would not work, neither should be eat.’ 2 Thessalonians 3:10 The moral way of acquiring wealth and property is to labour for it. So far as property _ comes_ to us, it either must be given us or we must inherit it; but it is immoral to strive to obtain it without working for it.... [ Continue Reading ]
_WITHOUT WEARINESS_ ‘But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.’ 2 Thessalonians 3:13 Who is there that has ever done work for Christ who has not felt the importance of this precept? I. CAUSES OF WEARINESS.—They are not a few. (_a_) _ Weariness from anxiety_. (_b_) _ Weariness from over-wo... [ Continue Reading ]