What does it look like to be a Living Sacrifice?
Paul had prepared the young Thessalonian church for tribulation and trials during his three weeks with them.
But the unbelieving Jews, envious of Paul and those with him, caused an uproar and the believers in Thessalonica had to send them away.
Paul then sent Timothy to minister to, establish and comfort the church there.
Now Timothy has returned and reported to Paul which moves Paul to writes to them saying… ‘Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith:’
They were not just hearers of the word but doers also.
Paul goes on to tell them of his desire and prayer for them to ‘increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you. To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.’
Do you see here why Paul longs for them to increase and abound in love towards both the brethren and all men?
So that God might establish their hearts ‘unblameable in holiness before God.’
The closer we are walking to the Lord, the more love we will have for others. It’s the way it works.
The more we lean into His love for us the more His love fills us and flows through us to those around us.
And through what Paul writes, we see that it is the way to be established in holiness. To live set apart for the Lord.
‘Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.’
‘For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty. Only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.’
Imagine yourself standing tall with your arms outstretched either side and your head turned up towards heaven.
Your body in the shape of a cross.
Eyes turned upwards, fixed upon Jesus, letting his love fill you.
Arms stretched out to those around you, letting His love flow through you.
Self crucified and your life surrendered as a living sacrifice for His glory!
This is how we live that set apart, consecrated, holy life that Paul desires for the Thessalonians.
Will you draw near and let His love fill you and flow through you, crucifying self, that your life might glorify Him?
With Love
1 Thess 3, Matt 22:37-39, Gal 5:13-14
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