The apostle Paul encourages Christ-followers to persevere through trial.
I 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)
The mark of a Christ-follower is heaven-supplied love for each other. But it is not to be limited to those who name the name of Christ — but is to be extended to everyone. The Thessalonians were being cruelly persecuted, and yet they were called to love their persecutors!
This unconditional, God-supplied love does not condone the wrongs done by others but loves as Christ loved you — while you were still a sinner. This call to love is not optional. Paul’s prayer is directed, emphatically, to making “your” (insert your name) love increase and abound!
Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.comThe “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™