"Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ."
Biblical terms such as, "the love of God," or, "the patience of Christ," can be interpreted either objectively, viz. God's love for His church; or subjectively, viz. Christians' love for God; or both (of these options). This instance (above) is probably referring to both.
It is, after all, only possible for us to show God's love when we our-
selves know that He loves us. The same is true with patience: we can only demonstrate it as we realize (personally) how much of it we have received from God. It is a good prayer Paul offers (in this verse); and we ought to ask the Lord to do this for us, too.
[Puritan quote of the day: "Let us pray that God will preserve pure ordinances and powerful preaching among us. Idolatry came in at first by the want of good preaching." --Thomas Watson, in, "The Ten Com-
mandments"]
