Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you, and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints. 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13
Throughout Paul’s letters in the New Testament we find beautiful benedictions. Words that inspire, build up, magnify God, comfort hearts. One of these is in Thessalonians 3. These heartfelt words for the church in Thessalinica demonstrate the love Paul had for this body of believers and they still speak powerfully to believers today. The crux of these verses is a desire, a plea for the body to increase in love. But not just increase to abound! To be overflowing, to have uncontainable love for one another. That is for us EBC. To have this love for one another, always regardless of circumstances. Regardless of our feelings. When we practice loving in difficult and trying times we find that our ability to love grows.
Now notice that when we do this Jesus Christ Himself, will establish our hearts, our souls, blameless in holiness before God. He will make it so that God looks on us as if He is looking on His Son when Jesus comes again. That is hope and promise and faith all at once. So let us love and love ridiculously well!
Singing His Praises!