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Pastor's Blog March 10, 2022
"Paul's Second Prayer"
Last week we looked at 1 Thessalonians 3:11, which is the first prayer Paul prays about the second coming of Jesus. This week we're going to look at the second prayer Paul prays about the second coming, in 1 Thessalonians 3:12, "May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you" (NIV). Sometimes it can be tempting to think that the best preparation for the second coming of Jesus is in cultivating personal spirituality, overcoming bad habits or secret vices, adding and/or strengthening good habits or virtues in your character, or becoming a more pious person in your prayer, Bible study, or witnessing life - basically, areas of growth that focus only on yourself. But what Paul says here, and what he's been saying so far, is that the best preparation for the second coming is to be a good lover of people.
It is not in personal piety that we find ultimate preparation for Jesus' return, but in learning how to truly love those around us. We are best prepared for Jesus' soon coming when our love continues to increase and overflows for each other and all those whom the Lord brings into our lives. And if we struggle to love others as we are called to, Paul gives us great advice on this point: ask God for it. Only God can "make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else," so asking that God give you this blessing and requesting it for others is one of the best ways to get ready for the second coming of Jesus.
Friends, may the Lord Jesus continue to increase to overflowing your love for each other and everyone else you encounter.
God bless,
Pastor Nathaniel Gamble
