1 THESSALONIANS 3:9-13 - PAUL'S IMPASSIONED LOVE

1 THESSALONIANS 3:9-13 (KJV)

PAUL’S IMPASSIONED LOVE

1 Thessalonians 3:9 For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God; 10 Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?

Paul and Silas were exuberantly overwhelmed with praise for the Thessalonians’ sonship and daughtership within their family of faith. They were overjoyed to hear that the Thessalonians were remaining strong in the Lord and thanked God for their growth. Paul wondered how he could possibly thank God enough for the results of the seed he had been able to plant in them.

Paul prayed fervently and frequently to be reunited with them. There were things he had not yet completely taught them. Things he had not had the opportunity to share on his previous visit. He was eager to have another chance to minister to them.

1 Thessalonians 3:11 Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.

Paul realizes the journey back to Thessalonica could not be done by human effort alone, but would require God’s work to open up the way. Only God could raise up a standard to prevent the Enemy from blocking his return.

1 Thessalonians 3:12 And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:

Paul prayed the Lord would multiply and magnify their love of the familyship of God. What does he mean by love toward “all men?” Does that include non-believers? Loving all men extends beyond the boundaries of the Messianic Community, the body of believers. How can we love non-believers? Jesus is the example of this kind of love because He loved us when we were unlovable and unlovely, even when we were His enemies because we were dead in our hearts. We were cold and calloused toward the One True God.

Romans 5:8 (KJV) But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Paul reiterated his own love for the Thessalonian believers as well.

1 Thessalonians 3:13 To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.

Paul’s desire for the Thessalonians is that they will be perfected by the Lord Jesus as His beloved bride.

Ephesians 5:25-27 (ESV) Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.

Paul views the Thessalonians as his spiritual children, and he wants them to be prepared in every way for Christ’s return.

PONDER THIS: Paul’s passion for the spread of the Gospel and teachings of Jesus is evidence of his love for the Lord and the Lord’s chosen people, the body of believers. Are we as passionate to share the Lord as we should be? Or are we dangerously close to being what the Lord Jesus calls “lukewarm?”

Revelation 1:15-16 (KJV) I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.