1 Thessalonians 3:12

This verse is part of a prayer that Paul prayed for the Thessalonians and in it, he is asking that their love increase not only for one another but for those in the world as well. In the war against our flesh, it is hard enough to love everyone in the church body, let alone those in the world, but it is what we are called to do.

In love, we are to do good to all (Galatians 6:10). Why? Because we want to emulate how Jesus lived on this earth in order to draw people to Him. In our own might, we will fail at this, but if we walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16), He will give us the power to love people as Jesus did, and He will give us the heart for the lost. Lord, may we walk in your Spirit and not only minister lovingly to the Church, but also may we be a beacon to a world without hope.

Jeff Mericle