The Love of God
E. Bickersteth. 2 Thessalonians 3:5 And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ. I. THE NATURAL FEELINGS OF THE HEART TOWARDS GOD. Originally man delighted in God; but the moment he sinned, fear and distrust entered his mind, and he became a "child of wrath." Notice — 1. Man's enmity against God, "the carnal mind," etc. We think it would be a happy thing were there no God to trouble us. It is this feeling that makes prayer burdensome instead of delightful, and duty irksome instead of a means of happiness. And so men converse with God, and do for Him as little as possible. 2. The consequent misery of man. Cut off from the fountain of happiness, he hews broken cisterns, and places his delight in the disappointing creature instead of the unchangeable Creator. II. THE MIND OF GOD TOWARD MEN IN THIS CONDITION. Consider — 1. The love of God to sinners. This is the true source of His dealings with men, and His love is not like ours, but disinterested, free, costly, pure. How we wrong it when we try to merit it! "God commendeth His love," etc. 2. The effects of this love. (1) Forgiveness. (2) The provision of His Spirit. (3) Divine likeness. (4) Eternal fife. III. THE HEART DIRECTED INTO THIS LOVE. 1. The means. Ample provision is made for its enjoyment. No man can direct his own heart, nor his parent or minister. But Christ has given His Spirit who can change the heart by directing it into the love of God. This Spirit is secured by prayer. 2. The consequence. Love begotten in our hearts to God and men. (E. Bickersteth.) Parallel Verses KJV: And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ. WEB: May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patience of Christ.