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ABOUNDING LOVE
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10
1 Thessalonians 3:11-12

John 13:34-35

 

“…to increase and abound

in love one toward another…”

 

ABOUNDING LOVE
 
As believers, we are taught to love one another. It is the hallmark of what it means to be a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, as Jesus taught His disciples in John 13:34-35: “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”
 
That was Paul’s prayer on behalf of the Thessalonian Christians. His desire for them was that they would increase and abound in love, not just for their fellow believers, but for all men. This is not to say that the Thessalonian Christians were deficient in this area. Paul had previously commended them for their “labour of love” (1 Thess 1:3). Likewise, Timothy’s report brought tidings of their faith and charity (1 Thess 3:6). Later in the epistle he would state: “as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another. And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in Macedonia” (1 Thess 4:9-10). By all accounts, we can say that they were a very loving people, and their love was evident to all.
 
Yet Paul’s prayer was that they would continue to grow in love. This is an important reminder for all of us that we must never be complacent in our spiritual growth. We must never come to a point in our lives where we think that we are loving enough and do not need to increase in our love anymore. Remember that the benchmark of love that Christ has set for us is to love “as I have loved you.” No one can ever claim to be as loving as Christ, and therefore, there will always be areas in our lives where we can be more loving in. If ever we think we do not need to increase in love any longer, it is a sure sign that pride and complacency have set in. It will do us much good to search the Scriptures to learn more about the love of God, and what true biblical love is.
 
THOUGHT: In what areas of my life can I be more loving?
PRAYER: Father, may Thou fill me with Thy love, that I will learn to love my neighbour as myself, and to continue to increase and abound in love.

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