ESOCS Devotional 13 March 2023
TEXT: 1 THESS. 3:1-13
MEMORY VERSE: “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 NIV
Verses 12 through 13 are succinctly and densely packed with key messages to the Thessalonians. Paul articulates his emphasis on holy living, on loving one another as God loves them and on the second coming of Christ. Paul not only communicated the truth about God, the love of God and the need for members of the church to extend such love to each other; he also demonstrated his love and sincere concern for the members of the broader community.
There is a heartfelt warmth and sincere caring for each other as brothers and sisters in Christ. Those within the congregation who need added spiritual or emotional support should never feel alone or unnoticed. That Christian attitude and love extend to those in need outside our immediate church family.
It was because of his concern and love for them that he not only would not, but could not abandon them when they needed spiritual growth. Again, this not only reveals pastoral concern, but a biblical perspective. Leading a person to the Lord is only the first step in the discipleship process.
Paul mentions two qualifications of Timothy’s character in verse 2. First, Paul describes Timothy as “our brother.” To be qualified to minister to others in true Christian ministry one must first be a Christian himself. “Brother” is basically a technical term for a believer, one who has been born into the family of God by the new birth.
Second, Timothy is described as “God’s fellow worker in the gospel of Christ.” To be able to minister to others, we must understand and accept the fact we are to be more than simply a brother or a Christian. Being a Christian brother also means caring for the family and that means being God’s fellow worker. This word refers to someone who is a team player. This is someone who does not seek to run or control things on his own, nor serve for selfish or personal agenda.
- Do you experience and feel genuine love for one another by the members of the church community?
- Oh God whose name is love, help me to love and share the concern of brethren to the glory of your name, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
FURTHER READING: Exodus 6:28-7:1-13; 1 Kings 11: 26-40; Mark 3:1-6;
Read Yesterday’s ESOCS Devotional here
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ESOCS Devotional 13 March 2023
