“And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.”
1Thess. 3: 12 - 13;
Discussion
Paul's prayer for the Church in Thessalonica gives us much to learn.
Read it again: 1Thess.3:12-13. Now, let us highlight two points:
1. Increase and abound in love for the saints and for all mankind. Walk in love towards all men and especially to those of the household of faith. (Gal.6.10 - As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.)
2. God makes you abound in love to all men in order to establish your hearts in holiness.
Thus, a love walk establishes holy living. We have been made holy in Christ already by being separated unto God. The challenge many have is putting that holiness to practice. It's one thing to be holy by nature; it's another thing to be holy in practice. God has given us a way to do this. The secret is love. You cannot walk in love and sin at the same time. Love paralyzes sin in your life. If you want to live a holy life, walk in love towards all men.
Begin to put this to practice today. Walking in love is walking as Christ on Earth (1John4:17). This is our maturity as saints (Ephesians 4:15). This holiness-producing love gives us boldness concerning the day of judgment. This love-producing holiness is what makes men see God in us (Hebrews 12:14). Knowing that love begets holiness should make you commit to living a life that abounds in love towards all men from now on. Shalom Uvracha!
Meditation
1 John 4 : 17 — Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment, because as he is, so are we in this world.