March 13 - 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10

March 13 - 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10

Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more,

If there was no need for Paul to write to the Thessalonians about brotherly love, why do you think he mentioned it at all?  Love was obviously a characteristic of this church; it even spread beyond their boundaries to Christians throughout the region.

Because just like training for anything else, continuing to increase in love is important.

I grew up in a home where love was expressed.  I never had to question whether or not my parents loved me; they told me every day, both in words and in their actions.  But, the words were terribly important.  Dad rarely missed an opportunity to say the words, “I love you,” to me.  He understood that it was as important for him to say those words as it was for us to hear them.

Mom was not so well practiced at expressing love when she married Dad.  Her parents never said the words, nor did they overtly express love.  It was difficult for her to learn, but she practiced because it was the right thing to do.

There is never a reason to be stingy with love or to withhold love.  It isn’t something to be awarded to a well-behaved child; it is something that child should feel every moment of their lives.

Love must be encouraged and expressed, it must be practiced over and over and allowed to grow in our own lives and in the lives of the people with whom we are in relationship.  Paul told the Thessalonians to love more and more.  We should love more and more every day.