20 Jan February 22nd Daily Devotion

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON PAUL’S SECOND LETTER TO THE  CHURCH AT THESSALONICA

A MODEL TO FOLLOW – PART I

2 Thessalonians 1:3 “We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing.”

There are any number of metrics used to evaluate a Christian congregation.  With Lutheran congregations this includes the number of baptized and communicant members.  It also includes keeping a record of weekly church, Sunday School, and Bible class attendance.  Treasurers’ reports are a must.

Note in today’s devotional verse there is no mention of any of these metrics.  What St. Paul observed and records for you the reader of this verse are two metrics you may not have thought about.  He observed and commented that the faith of the Thessalonian church members was growing.  He doesn’t say how he came to that conclusion, but it must have been because he observed how, in spite of the difficulties these Christians were experiencing and how they faced them confident that God was with them and would help them contend.

Secondly, he comments on their “love for one another.” An abundance of love for one another in a congregation is not a given.  There are congregations that have a reputation for members arguing and actually fighting with one another on a regular basis.  Most often the issues boil down to who in the congregation is in control, rather than the members humbling themselves and recognizing that it is God who is in control.  To have it said that the members of your congregation love one another is the highest compliment next to the fact that there is ample evidence that the faith of the members is growing.

God grant that you and your fellow members pray regularly to God to cause your faith to grow and your love for one another to abound.  These two metrics (blessings) are priceless.  The budget can be in the red, the roof in great need of repair, and the carpet wearing out, but what matters most is your faith in your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is strong and there is great love for one another. Then your congregation is richly blessed and doing extremely well.

Prayer:  Lord, send Your Holy Spirit into my congregation to bless the preaching of the word, the administration of the sacraments, and the study of the Holy Scriptures so that the faith of the members grows and love for one another abounds.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

I love Your kingdom, Lord, The lace of Your abode.

The Church our blest Redeemer saved With His own precious blood.

Beyond my highest joy I prize its heav’nly ways,

Its sweet communion, solemn vows, Its hymns of love and praise.

I love Your Church, O God, Your saints in ev’ry land,

Dear as the apple of Your eye And graven on Your hand.

For them my tears shall fall; For them my prayers ascend;

For them my cares and toils be giv’n Till toils and cares shall end.

Sure as Your truth shall last, To Zion shall be giv’n

The brightest glories earth can yield And brighter bliss of heav’n.

(LSB 651)