1 Thessalonians 3:12, 13 - Love and Sanctification.
1 Thessalonians 3:12, 13 - Love and Sanctification.
1 Thessalonians 3:12, 13 (TLB) And may the Lord make your love
to grow and overflow to each other and to everyone else, just as
our love does toward you. This will result in your hearts being made
strong, sinless, and holy by God our Father so that you may stand before
him guiltless on that day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns with
all those who belong to him.
LOVING OTHERS
The word for "love," agape, describes the selfless love that
comes from God. Such love looks out for the best interests of those
loved--caring for fellow believers and reaching out to unbelievers... Love can
always be strengthened and deepened with God's help. [Life Application
Commentary]
If we are full of God's love, it will overflow to others. It's
not enough merely to be courteous to others; we must actively and
persistently show love to them. Our love should be growing continually. If
your capacity to love has remained unchanged for some time, ask God
to fill you again with his never-ending supply. Then look for
opportunities to express his love. [Life Application SB]
God is love (1John 4:16). His very nature is perfect love, but
because of sin love does not always come freely and naturally to His
children. You may have been raised in a home where love was not expressed.
Perhaps you were hurt by someone you loved, and your heart became
hardened as a defense against further pain. You may love others but not
know how to express your love in words or actions. You may feel
frustrated because you have been called by God to love, yet you do not
understand how to love others.
Paul wrote to the Christians in Thessalonica to encourage them
not to become disheartened as they learned to love each other (1Th
3:7). They did not need Paul to explain to them how to love, for God
Himself would teach them how to love one another. God would give them
His love, and as they followed Him, He would cause that love to
multiply. If they found someone who was difficult to love, God would
enable them to love through His Holy Spirit.
God in His grace has made provision for our human weakness,
and He is prepared to teach us how to love one another. There are no
exceptions. God can teach us to love even that especially difficult person.
Are you struggling to love someone? God will help you. He will
enable you to love your parents, your spouse, your children, your
friends, or your enemy in a deeper way than you could ever love them on
your own. If you do not know how to express your love in a meaningful
way, God will teach you how to do this. God is the authority on love.
As you relate to others, ask God to make His love overflow to them
through your life. [Experiencing God Day by Day by Henry and Richard
Blackaby re 1Th. 3:12; 4:9]
BECOMING HOLY OR SANCTIFIED
The word "holiness" emphasizes not an act of holiness but the
state or condition of holiness. God's will is that our lives be
characterized in every area by Christlikeness. This includes both attitudes
and actions. [Believer's SB]
Holiness is wholeness to God. The soul is surrendered to God.
The will, and even the thoughts, are brought into subjection to the
will of Christ. The love of Jesus fills the soul, and is constantly
going out in a clear, refreshing stream, to make glad the hearts of
others 6BC1076
Complete perfection is not attainable in this life, but the
process of sanctification brings believers ever closer to perfection.
One day, the process will be over, and all believers will be made
perfect in the presence of our God and Father. [Life Application
Commentary]
The Bible very often connects holy living with the return of
Christ. The second coming is not a doctrine to satisfy our curiosity,
but a truth meant to inspire us to living wholeheartedly for God.
[Life Principles SB By Charles Stanley re 1Th. 3:13]
CLOSING THOUGHTS
None of us can say that we've seen God. But if we love each
other, God lives in us and His love will be perfected in us as we share
it with others. 1 John 4:12 (CWR)
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