Increasing love

Love that grows more and more for others.

“We pray that the Lord will make your love grow. We pray that he will give you more and more love for each other and for all people. We pray that you will love everyone in the same way we love you.
1 Thessalonians 3:12 (ERV)”

Increasing love – through the word

Increasing love, what a wonderful thing to have—a love that is sincere and passionate (fervent; intent) but does not involve physical intimacy. It is a love that is from the heart. The first love mentioned in verse 22 is from the Greek word φιλαδελφία philadelphia fē-lä-del-fē’-ä, commonly known as ‘brotherly love’. The second love in verse 22 is from the Greek word ἀγαπάω agapaō ä-gä-pä’-ō, a lesser known type of love; according to the Teknia Greek Dictionary “…the active love his people are to have for God, each other, and even enemies”.

1 Peter 1:22-25 Since you have purified your souls by obeying the truth, so you have a sincere love of the brethren; love one another fervently from the heart. 23 You have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, by the word of God, which lives and abides forever.

24 For, All flesh is like grass, and all its glory is like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls away, 25 But the word of the Lord endures forever. And this is the word that was preached to you. (RKJNT)

Love in action

There is nothing like seeing a loving family as they help each other go through tough times. As we, brothers and sisters in Christ, become more like Jesus our love should grow more and more for each other.

1 John 3:13-19 Do not be surprised if the world hates you, Christian brothers. 14 We know we have passed from death into life. We know this because we love the Christians. The person who does not love has not passed from death into life. 15 A man who hates his brother is a killer in his heart. You know that life which lasts forever is not in one who kills.

16 We know what love is because Christ gave His life for us. We should give our lives for our brothers. 17 What if a person has enough money to live on and sees his brother in need of food and clothing? If he does not help him, how can the love of God be in him?

18 My children, let us not love with words or in talk only. Let us love by what we do and in truth. 19 This is how we know we are Christians. It will give our heart comfort for sure when we stand before Him. (NLV)

Continue loving each other as brothers and sisters in Christ. Hebrews 13:1 (ERV)

In conclusion

2 Thessalonians 1:2-3 Grace and peace to all of you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Thanksgiving and encouragement 3 Brothers and sisters, we must always thank God for you. This is only right because your faithfulness is growing by leaps and bounds, and the love that all of you have for each other is increasing. (CEB)

As our faithfulness to God grows we should also experience increasing love. We continue to grow and develop in our natural life, we should also grow and develop in our Spiritual life! [1 John 5:1-5] No one says it is easy, loving the people of God can challenge the best Christian, but be assured it is worth every difficult moment. How difficult is it for others to love you, is it easy? You might find it is not easy for others to love you but they love you in spite of… Be blessed my friends—♥ Tim.

♥ Question for ‘increasing love’: Is your love growing for your brothers and sisters in the Lord and for all people?

Scriptures to read and study

NOTE: the key verses are in parenthesis. 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12 (9-12); 2 Peter 1:3-11 (5-8); 1 Peter 1:22-25; Hebrews 13:1-6; 1 John 3:10-23; 2 Thessalonians 1:3-12; 1 John 5:1-5