When The Lord Returns

And may the Lord increase your love and make it overflow for each other and for all people, just as ours does for you, so that he may establish your hearts as blameless in holiness before our God and Father, when our Lord Jesus comes with all his saints. (1 Thessalonians 3:12–13)

When Paul was in Thessalonica, he experienced great opposition to his ministry. He had stayed with a man named Jason. When the Jews who opposed Paul found out, they went to Jason’s house and caused much trouble for Jason. Paul left Thessalonica rather quickly. But he wanted to go back. He wanted to continue the ministry that he had begun there.

Having sent Timothy to Thessalonica, Paul received a report that the Thessalonians had not been tempted to give up their faith. This gave Paul great hope that one day he would be able to serve them again. As he expressed his desire to return to Thessalonica, he prayed that God would increase their love for all people so that God would establish (or confirm) their hearts as blameless and holy before God. Paul was asking God that he might give them an increase in their faith and that it may overflow and show itself in the way that they loved one another and other people.

When Jesus came down to earth, he came to make his people blameless in holiness before God the Father. He gave up his life so that our sins would not be held against us and we would be righteous and holy in God’s sight. It is through faith that we receive these blessings, and it is that same faith that prompts us to show love to all people. Our faith overflows in love that is concerned for the eternal wellbeing of all people and prompts us to share the gospel message with all people. So may the Lord God also establish our hearts as blameless in holiness when he returns with all the saints as well. Amen.

The song for today is “Love of God” by MercyMe

Love of God