More and More

1 Thessalonians 4:9-10 Now about brotherly love we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. 10 And in fact, you do love all the brothers throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers, to do so more and more.
 
PAUL shifts quickly from admonition against sinful sexual desires to true Christian love. He compliments the church on their love, too, for all in Macedonia. Apparently, the Thessalonians were demonstrating a Christian love for each other in the church and for their neighbors. Paul writes they have such love because they were taught by God to love each other. In other words, the Spirit had been active in the Thessalonians’ hearts to teach them how to love as God loves. They have heard and followed Jesus’ teachings as the apostle has taught them.
    How would Paul know about their love? Such love is not an unseen emotion but is a visible display of faith. God’s love is an active love. Our Lord does not sit on his throne to say, “I love you.” But he comes into his world spiritually and physically to demonstrate his deep, eternal love for us. The Thessalonians’ Christian love would have been evident in the ways they cared for each other, supported those in need, prayed for others and perhaps sent offerings to other churches in Macedonia. Some members could have sacrificed money or belongings to help those in need. The church may have cared for widows and orphans. Perhaps they corrected each other to stop sinful habits and work toward God’s commands more and more.
    To do so more and more is Paul’s encouragement to the church. Perhaps this can seem harsh that Paul is never satisfied with a church’s faith. But living more and more into Jesus’ love is an essential understanding of sanctification. Once we begin the journey of faith following our Good Shepherd, our walk must continue. Think about it. What happens if we stop walking toward Jesus? We are no longer following the Shepherd. We have stopped seeking him, content to follow our own desires instead.
    Paul knew how dangerous it is to stop your faith walk. He has witnessed this in other churches. Jesus condemned this in Revelation 3:15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm – neither hot nor cold – I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You cannot fully love, know and obey God if you stop walking toward him.
          Let’s have a mindset to love God and to love our neighbors now and then learn how to love God and our neighbors more and more.