“May the
Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all
people, just as we also do for
you.” (v.12)
A church
is more than the number of its members, or a state-of-the-art building. Whether
your church has stadium size crowds or just a few in attendance, numbers are
not what God uses to measure success. He looks at the heart of the church.
The apostle Paul planted an important church in Thessalonica,
the capital city of Macedonia. He showed his desire for the church members
there when he wrote: “May the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one
another and to all . . . so that He may establish your hearts blameless in
holiness” (vv.12-13). With these words, Paul showed us two important characteristics vital for a successful body of
believers—love for one another and holiness.
In the words of the prophet Micah:
“do justly, to love mercy, and to walk
humbly with your God?” (6:8). Any church doing this will be successful in His service.
The Truth
“A new
commandment I give to you, that you love
one another; as I have loved
you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you
have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35)
