The second part of the threefold benediction is love—the love of
God. To look at the life of Jesus is to gaze into God’s love. His love
was patient and kind, not envious nor boastful nor proud. It was not
rude, not easily angered. It was not self-seeking and it kept no record
of wrongs. His love did not delight in evil but rejoiced in all truth. It
always protected and trusted and hoped and persevered. All we have
to do is look at the Cross to know that this love never failed and it
never will. The love of God is the greatest of all virtues (1 Cor.
13:4–8, 13).
The third part of the threefold benediction is the fellowship of the
Holy Spirit. This is the completing virtue that flows through us when
we accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. He prays and loves
through us via his Spirit. The Spirit is rooted in the eternal nature of
God—he is one with the Father and with the Son, and as a result of
our faith he becomes one with each of us. He is the Counselor whom
the Father gave to remind us of everything in his name (John 14:26).
As we send this threefold benediction around the world to God’s
children everywhere, we are extending the essential, sacrificial, and
gracious nature of our God. There is no greater blessing.
Father God, we do ask that the grace of your Son, Jesus, along with
your own powerful love and the fellowship of your Holy Spirit, be
with each member of the body of Christ today. And may this power-
ful benediction create in many unbelievers a hunger to know you.
Amen.48 CLAIRECLONINGER