Every day there are things we could do “even more” and in so doing, these actions would be beneficial to our lives. As I’ve been reading Scripture lately, I have been noticing repeated words or small words which seem to stand out above others.
It was those words – “even more” – which Paul repeated in his writing to the Thessalonians, that have been echoing in my head for a few days now.They provide a good framework for two actions we should be doing, even more.
“Finally, dear brothers and sisters, we urge you in the name of the Lord Jesus to live in a way that pleases God, as we have taught you. You live this way already, and we encourage you to do so even more.” (1 Thessalonians 4:1, NLT)
Here we find Paul commending the believers for living in a way that pleases God, and to do so even more. Consistent growth should mark our lives, (daily obedience to God’s ways and principles), not just the occasional sprint.
To grow even more, we need to meet with God on the pages of His Word and in prayer. Spiritual habits will grow and strengthen our spiritual muscles so we persevere, endure, and strengthen our faith over the course of time.
“Indeed, you already show your love for all the believers throughout Macedonia. Even so, dear brothers and sisters, we urge you to love them even more.“ (1 Thessalonians 4:10, NLT)
It wasn’t that the believers didn’t already love one another, Paul was urging them to love them even more. To go above and beyond, to overflow with love. Warren Wiersbe brings this insight:
“God causes our love to increase “more and more” by putting us into circumstances that force us to practice Christian love. Love is the “circulatory system” of the body of Christ; but if our spiritual muscles are not exercised, the circulation is impaired. The difficulties that we believers have with one another are opportunities for us to grow in our love. This explains why Christians who have had the most problems with each other often end up loving one another deeply, much to the amazement of the world.” (Wiersbe Study Bible, page 1762)
Jesus said it well when He taught the disciples the most important commandment:
“”˜You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. ’This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ”˜Love your neighbor as yourself. ’The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:37-40, NLT)
Love God,
Love others,
and the world will know we are His.
Photo by Debby Hudson on Unsplash
Today I am joining …
Yes by the love we have for one another the whole world will know that we are Jesus’ disciples! Sounds so easy but it is in those moments of dealing ‘with the impossible people’ that we grow and mature – to realise that in fact I am someone else’s ‘impossible person!’ great reflection to press on for the ‘even more’ Thanks 🙂
Sharon, love sounds so easy but it is sure hard when put to the test each day. And like you, it is even more eye opening to realize that we are someone’s “impossible person.”
Excellent post, Joanne. It reminds me of something our school superintendent used to tell us: ” We are good, but we can be better.” So true. There is always room for improvement so that others do know us by our gentleness, humility, and love.
I loved the thought from your school superintendent. There is always room for improvement (also known as more fruit production) in our lives 🙂
Somehow I had not noticed the “even more” in this passage until a pastor brought it out in a sermon some 20 years ago. There’s always room for growth in our walk, our service, and our love.
I find it amazing when I notice a small word or phrase I had not noticed before. It always seems to break open a Scripture in a new and greater way.