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Read: 1 Thessalonians 3:6-13
Listen: 1 Thessalonians 3

May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. 1 Thessalonians 3:12

Before Paul reminds them of God’s instructions about sexuality, he spends three chapters reminding them of his love for them, who they are in Christ and what their new faith means. Just before he gets to the important teaching about how they are to live sexually, Paul prays. He prays for love to abound and overflow and for their hearts to be strengthened to live holy lives. This shows that Paul is no moralist, just looking to put a crimp in their lifestyle. He is their friend, and he is for them. His teaching comes from affection and a desire to see them live well. It’s also a conversation they’ve had before. Because sexuality is an important topic, it’s one he’s touching on again.

This illustrates the importance for us to have deep spiritual relationships where we are for each other and can speak into each other’s lives. It can be a spiritual friendship, a small group, or within a family as parents or grandparents. In these loving relationships, we are called to encourage each other to live out God’s best and to warn against sin. It’s a call for community; to be honest, authentic and vulnerable in trusted spaces. We must be open to correction and for each other. These are relationships in which we need to invest.

TODAY: How do your relationships need to be strengthened? Do you need more relationships that encourage your walk with Jesus? If you need a small group, join one today here. If you are in a group, how can you be more authentic and vulnerable?

JESUS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT:

Read Ezra 3-4. Highlight anything that points to Jesus. Look for the rebuilding of the temple. Consider how Jesus becomes the new temple of God’s presence (John 2:19-21).