Scripture

May the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow, just as our love for you overflows.

Observation

Unable to return to Thessalonica himself, Paul sent Timothy to them while he remained in Athens. Timothy was to strengthen and encourage them and to keep them from being shaken by the troubles that were soon to come against them.

Timothy returned with good news about their faith and love. Paul has been greatly encouraged because they remained strong in their faith.

Paul prays that the Lord will grow their love for one another and for all people.

Application

As disciples of Jesus, who is the embodiment of God’s love, we are to be people who overflow with the love of God.

God’s plan for the church is that we should be an open community of love. Relationships within the community are meant to be as close as the relationship between God the Father, God the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Jesus prayed that we would be one as He and the Father are one.

Sadly, the church often falls short of this ideal. Personality clashes, political power games, and false gospels result in congregations being less than they should be.

The church is not only meant to be a close community, it is also meant to be open to newcomers – visitors, new believers, and so on. A church that is exclusive is no church at all.

This goal is only possible by the grace of God. So we need to pray to love one another and to love all people with the same extravagance that God has given us.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, please help my church to overflow in love for one another and for all people. Amen.