Love as response to God’s love

Now, to be sure, it is our experience of God’s love through Jesus Christ that is intended by Paul to increase and abound in love through us and in us—for one another and for all (1 Thessalonians 3:12). You see, because of God’s love for us, believers should become so full of love that we are not able to contain that love, and we should be increasingly loving to those around us because of God’s love in our lives. As we grow and experience God’s grace, we are, Paul says, to increase and abound in love towards others. In Ephesians, Paul urged the believers: Walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. He is literally saying that our love toward others is like the Old Testament thank offerings—in response to the atoning offering that was the love of God through Christ for us. That is the way he thinks about it.

Now, this is naturally, of course, going to be directed among fellow believers. The New Testament frankly admits that we are going to, first and foremost, love one another. This is one of the many one another texts in the New Testament: abound in love for one another. Now, what is that going to mean? It is going to mean ministry to practical needs and fellowship in faith and worship and in service. What a joy it is to labour together in the Lord—to go on a missions trip together, to do a Vacation Bible School together, to evangelize together. That is a wonderful fellowship of love. Love is going to mean encouraging one another in trials—paying attention to how people are doing in a helpful way, and knowing when to put an arm on a shoulder and to give a good word. Love is going to mean the mutual bearing of burdens and mutual prayers for God’s power and help.¹

Richard D. Phillips