DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- INCREASING AND ABOUNDING

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – INCREASING AND ABOUNDING

"And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints." (I Thessalonians 3:12-13)

The Apostle Paul was at Athens and he was deeply concerned for the Believers at Thessalonica, that they would remain true to the faith which he had taught them. When he could bear this burden no longer, he sent Timothy to Thessalonica to encourage them in the faith. When Timothy returned to Athens, he reported to Paul that they were standing firm in the Lord. This was a great encouragement to Paul and eased his mind. Now he could breathe easier knowing that they were remaining faithful to the truth.

Paul wanted to visit them to "perfect what is lacking in your faith" (vs. 10). He was happy that they were steadfast in their faith, but he desired that they would increase and abound more and more. There was still room for them to grow in their love, faith, and holiness as we read in the first verse of the next chapter: "that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God" (I Thessalonians 4:1),and in verses 9-10 – "that you increase more and more" in brotherly love.

There is always room to grow in our Christian walk. None of us have reached the top of the mountain. Our journey will not be complete until we stand before the Lover of our souls. Receiving Christ Jesus as Savior begins our journey. May God continue to perfect – to bring to fullness – our love, our faith and our holiness until we see Him face to face.

Love, Dad