1 Thes. 3:12

I have taken on the challenge to work on dwelling in the word more, and this week, I began looking at the first verse I was given: 1 Thes. 3:12.

Before I continue, I want to mention one thing: I do consider this a challenge, but do not look at the word challenge and think of this in a negative way. I do not see this as a punishment, but more of a call to live and a challenge to live that calling. Yes, challenge can have a negative connotation, but rest assured that it is not being used in the negative here.

Now, moving on.

After receiving this verse, I have completely fallen in love with it!

"May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you."

May your love increase and overflow...wow! Is that not a powerful statement?! This made me begin to think, though, what is love?

I know that most often the scripture passage that comes to mind is 1 Corinthians 13, but I feel like love is deeper than just that one passage.

Think about it. God is love. How do we define God though? How do we define the creator of the universe and how can we possibly put in to words His might and power?

Think of any ways? Cause I have nothing.

I looked up on dictionary.com the definition of love. This is what I found:
a feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection, as for a parent, child, or friend

See, the way that I look at it, God is love. And we are called to be like Christ, and although we can never be perfect, we should never stop striving to be like Christ. And He is love. The greatest gift ever given was God's son, and He gave that gift to us through love. 

And love is a personal attachment or deep affection for someone else. 

So, in my mind, doesn't it make sense for us to have this affection for people? I mean, Christ did. He loved the unloved, the beggars, the hated, the ridiculed, the ungodly. 

And we, his people, have been called to love them as well. We are called to demonstrate an affection for them, even when it doesn't seem like we can.

So, this verse has meant alot to me. I want my love to increase and overflow. I want my concern for humanity to be so abundant that it just pours forth from my very being. That is love. That is what we are to be. 


"May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you."