1 Thessalonians 4:9 Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other.
In today’s verse we again see the Greek word agape used when we have the word love. Paul uses this form of love to point out how we are to love others, unconditionally, wholly, and sacrificially.
He recognized that the Thessalonians were living a life of love already, and even went on to say they loved all of God’s family throughout Macedonia (1 Thessalonians 4:10). He didn’t need to instruct them to love because they were already doing so. They are a great example of how we should treat our fellow believers.
It is interesting how they came to do this, though. They were taught by God to love (agape) one another. How does God teach us to love? We are divinely taught to love, not needing human instruction to show us how we should treat others. God’s Spirit works within each of us, inspiring sacrificial agape love, a love they should continually grow. Isn’t that amazing?
Paul goes on to praise their existing brotherly affection (in Greek the form of love is phileo, which is a brotherly love). He encouraged them to increase their love for one another (1Thessalonians 4:10). Though they were already living a life of love, they were encouraged to expand their love even further.
Today let’s pause to consider the love we have for other believers. Our love for one another should be unconditional and sacrificial, like the Thessalonians had for one another. Examine your own life. Are you loving others the way the Thessalonians did? How can you expand your love? Ask the Holy Spirit to help you to love others with agape love.
Prayer: Thank You for filling me withYour love. Help me to be a dedicated servant who loves everyone. Let the Spirit within me teach me how to love others.
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