1 Thessalonians 4 Devotion

1 Thessalonians 4

It’s amazing to see an example we need for this season of life we are in as a church. Paul was unable to visit (gather) with the believers in Thessalonica. Though for different reasons than our own, we see Paul using the means available to teach and encourage the saints.

By way of letter, Paul resounds the repeated phrase “that you excel still more” or “that you do so more and more.” So, by way of letter (from a distance) Paul instructs the church in ways that we need to hear today.

The word excel means exceed or abound. It’s doing more than you’ve been doing. It’s like if you work 40 hours a week, now let’s exceed that amount and work overtime.

What a time to be alive! What an opportunity to display the character and love of Christ to many in our neighborhoods that have no hope.

Whatever this virus is or turns out to be, I’m certain it is a test for the church. It’s time to act. It’s time to trust. It’s time to excel all the more in how we walk with God (please Him). Abstaining from that which does not display God’s character. And loving the beloved of the Lord and our neighbors still more.

We of all people ought to live like this because we have hope…hope in the resurrection to come! This should be very comforting to you in such uncertain times.

My prayer for you is this: God is able to make all grace *abound to you, *so that having all sufficiency in *all things at *all times, you may *abound in *every *good *work. – 2 Corinthians 9:8

Grace and peace, beloved! May God’s grace abound to you so that you can abound in loving your neighbors.