Text: 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13
“and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all…” —1 Thessalonians 3:12
It’s been said that John Wesley’s heart was “strangely warmed” in London but “set on fire” in Bristol.
This past week we did a sports camp at the very location in Bristol where Wesley erected a chapel and built a school in the mid eighteenth century. In the same field where Wesley and Whitefield used to preach open air to colliers (coal miners), we used the American pastime of baseball to demonstrate the gospel to young people. New methods, same message.
While there, I came across this John Wesley quote:
“Though we cannot think alike, may we not love alike? May we not be of one heart, though we are not of one opinion? Without all doubt, we may. Herein all the children of God may unite, notwithstanding these smaller differences.”
Paul’s desire for the Thessalonians was that the Lord would make them “increase and abound in love for one another and for all.” They were not a loveless church, but they still had room to grow in love.
Don’t we all?
Jesus spoke of the defining mark of his followers using this “red letter” statement: “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). The Apostle John also emphasized this principle: “If someone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?” (1 John 4:20).
Paul advocates for the Thessalonian Christians to show love to one another and to all. This love begins in the family of God, but it must go beyond. Jesus told us that our love is small and shallow if we only love those who love us also (Matthew 5:46-47).
Consider: Paul daringly set himself as a standard of love to be emulated. We should live such Christian lives that we could tell young Christians, “Love other people just the way that I do.” Think about that as you seek to abide in Him this week.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, we love because you first loved us. Holy Spirit, empower us to grow in love for one another and all, that the name of Jesus would be glorified in us. Amen.