Thursday, June 22
Do so more and more
Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4
1 Thessalonians 4:1 Finally then, brothers and sisters, we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received instruction from us about how you must live and please God (as you are in fact living) that you do so more and more.
1 Thessalonians 4:9–10 Now on the topic of brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another. 10 And indeed you are practicing it toward all the brothers and sisters in all of Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more,
Observation
Twice Paul tells his readers to “do so more and more.”
First, he tells them to please God more and more. Second, he tells them to love one another more and more. Vertical and horizontal, spiritual and social, God and people—do so more and more.
Even though they were doing these two things, there was room for growth. There is always room for growth. There’s more.
Application
Human beings naturally seek stasis—a state of inactivity or equilibrium. Rest. We’ve arrived.
But the adventure of life, and particularly the Christian life, is growth. There’s more! No matter how well we’re doing, we can do better; we can grow.
I love God. Paul would say, “do so more and more.”
I love people. Paul would say, “do so more and more.”
Today, I want the resist the temptation to be satisfied with where I am, and stretch out to grow, particularly in my love for God and people—the two most important things in life!
Prayer: Lord, I love You and I want to grow in my devotion for You and how I love others. Deepen my relationships both vertically and horizontally. Help me today to do so more and more.
More: Ecclesiastes 3-4, Psalm 73, 1 Timothy 2