Have you noticed that animals do instinctively what is necessary to keep them alive and safe? Fish do not attend classes to learn how to swim (even though they swim in schools), and birds by nature put out their wings and flap them in order to fly. It is nature that determines action. Because a fish has a fish’s nature, it swims; because a hawk has a hawk’s nature, it flies. And because a Christian has God’s nature, he loves, because “God is love” (1 John 4:8).

You can never have too much Christian love. Paul prayed that the Thessalonians’ love might “increase and abound” (1 Thessalonians 3:12); and God answered that prayer (see 2 Thessalonians 1:3).

How does God cause our love to “increase more and more”? By putting us into circumstances that force us to practice Christian love. Love is the “circulatory system” of the body of Christ, but if our spiritual muscles are not exercised, the circulation is impaired. The difficulties that we believers have with one another are opportunities for us to grow in our love. This explains why Christians who have had the most problems with each other often end up loving one another deeply, much to the amazement of the world.

Paul’s prayer: “The Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you” (1 Thessalonians 3:12).

More love verses: 2 Thessalonians 1:3; 1 Timothy 6:2; Hebrews 13:1-3.

Action assignment: Quote John 3:16 from memory and emphasize the words so loved. Consider how you can put giving love into effect in a relationship with someone. Talk to God about how you can love more deeply.