More Love

"Now about brotherly love we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. And in fact, you do love all the brothers throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers, to do so more and more." 1 Thessalonians 4:9

I am noticing that teaching and talk about love is not as strong as it used to be. Back in the 60's and early 70's there was much talk about love. Some of it was called 'free love', which is love without commitment and without boundaries. The brotherly love that Paul speaks of here is the kind of love that Christians should be known for wherever they are. I think our problem may be that it is hard to say you love when you are constantly creating stress, drama and agenda for people. Or, it is hard to talk about love when you are being mean-spirited or vengeful. It is also hard to spread the love when you are greedy or selfish. Equally difficult is to speak of love when you, yourself feel so unloved or think you are entitled to more love.

The verse says that God Himself had taught them to love each other. Has God taught you to love? Did you receive that teaching? Remember, while you were still unforgiven and going to hell, He loved you. He loved you before you loved Him. He still loves you even though you really don't deserve it. His love is unconditional. His love is 'free love' also, other than the fact that it cost Him His very life to prove it to all of us. This love should cause us to not only love others, but to love Him and ourselves.

Even though the Thessalonians were doing well at loving one another and spreading that love throughout the region, Paul urged, (not just encouraged or requested) them to love each other 'more and more'. As the old song goes, ...."what the world needs now is love, sweet love...its the only thing that there is just too little of.." The world urgently needs love. Today there is overwhelming confusion about love, and it is being confused with tolerance and acceptance. When we love others we never approve of their sin. We respect them and encourage them, but never should condone sin. I think we have accepted, condoned and tolerated our own sin so much that it is just an outgrowth of our own self delusion. Love is the answer. Pure love. Tough love. Sweet love. His love. Just for a moment close your eyes and picture Jesus, Himself teaching you personally how to love others, how to love Him, and how to love yourself. What a lovely picture. Now go and do that more and more. I urge you.

With His love and mine,
Pastor Fred

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