Saturday 1st March
Read 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13
“Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. 12 May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. 13 May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.” (NIVUK)
One can’t help but wonder if Paul’s prayer for the Thessalonians hearts to be strengthened (v13a) is less about being ‘blameless and holy’ (v13b) and more about a willingness to love others, for their love to overflow from the church out into the streets. In this way, through overflowing love, they will be found holy and blameless on the last day.
It is a prayerful echo of Jesus’ response to the Pharisees when asked what the most important commandment in the law is. He replied: “‘“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: “Love your neighbour as yourself.” 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.’” (Matthew 22:37-40) (NIVUK).
