"It is not that we know God that matters but that God knows us"... My Pastor Steven Rauch said this at yesterday's service. How profound. It is not a matter of the mind; it is a matter of the heart! We should be known by the love that we show to each other only then will we fulfill His commandments. This outpouring of love comes as God sanctifies us and places His great agape, unconditional love in our hearts through the power of the Holy Spirit. As the fruit of the Spirit permeates our life it manifest as love for God above all and then for ourselves and others. It is only by the grace of God that we can know this kind of love and only in Him can we show it to others consistently in good times and in bad.
Satan persecutes Christians in order to discourage and defeat them. The Thessalonians' steadfast faith not only strengthened them to withstand difficult circumstances, it also motivated them to express genuine love for others. A Christian's faith in Christ should always culminate in true love for others.
3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other, 4 so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure
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