"Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; for indeed you do practice it toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, to excel still more,"
1 Thessalonians 4:9-10 NASB1995
As we bring this month and year to a close I offer this final thank and encouragement…
“Now as to the love of the brethren…” - Not just for them, but for all. And especially your love for God. “Now” - consider the topic now, please. Prepare your heart and mind for it. Focus in on it. This is God’s will for you each day. To love.
“...you have no need for anyone to write to you…” - I have written to you daily whether you need it or not. If you have, you have taken the time to read, and consider, and meditate, and live, and possibly even teach others also. If you have, I hope God has blessed you in all of those efforts. And if you have, I thank you. You have given meaning and purpose to this work and are an encouragement to me. But this writing is also beneficial to me, and so even if you didn’t need it, I did. Thank you again.
“...for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another…” - You are taught by God through the teaching and example of Jesus and His gospel. “Do unto others…” (Matthew 7:12), “Love your neighbor…” (Mark 12:31), “For I gave you an example…” (John 13:15) “A new commandment I give to you…” (John 13:34). And yet, even with those teachings and many more from the Lord, there is still the need for the reinforcement of those teachings all throughout the rest of the New Testament.
“...for indeed you do practice it toward all the brethren…” - And God bless them for it. And you as well. I have no doubt that most, if not all of you (especially the daily dedicated readers of WHM), do indeed practice love toward all the brethren. Thank you for every act of love toward your brethren. In this, you are not serving and loving them, but the Lord! (Matthew 25:31-46) In every act of love for your brethren, you are honoring your Lord and Savior.
“...But we urge you, brethren, to excel still more…” - and in that love may I encourage you to abound all the more. To excel still more! This is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus, and may your 2023 be filled with the love of God in your life.
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