"May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints." - 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13
In our culture, as obsessed as it has become with sensuality, the words “love” and “holiness” are almost opposites. In God’s understanding of love, we love each other in the way that is appropriate to the relationships between us. Here love and holiness become one and the same. Holy love! What a wonderful idea. The world will never understand it.
We see holy love between husband and wife, between parent and child, between friends, between Christians in a congregation. We even see it between Christians of different denominations, who disagree on a broad range of doctrinal questions and worship style, but still love each other. We show love to each other, by God’s grace, in the ways that are right for the relationship between us in each case.
As we live in joyful anticipation of the Lord’s return, we find joy in these loving relationships, and the Holy Spirit establishes our hearts, strengthens our faith, and builds us up in Him. The fellowship of our faith becomes effective in revealing more of His character to us.
Lord Jesus, by Your Spirit, work in me the holy love that only You can bring about in such a sinful heart as mine. Let Your holy love be the defining characteristic of Your children, including me. Amen.
Pastor Dan Giles