And may the Lord make you increase and
abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you. . .But
concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you
yourselves are taught by God to love one another. 1
Thessalonians 3:12; 4:9
God is
love (1 John 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 (1 Thess. 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.
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