Although we, Christians are told to embody the fruit of the Spirit – love. joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control the single most defining characteristic of a Christian is love. After all, our Father, the Almighty God is love, and we. His children, who bear His image, should also be a reflection of that love. In fact, the Lord Jesus Himself said that our love for one another will distinguish us as His disciples. (John 13:35)
Love has been defined countless times already; it has been the subject of many sermons, many poems and even many stories and a variety of other art pieces. It is the favorite topic to discuss at certain parts of the year; not to mention that many people have done crazy things in the name of love , or so these people claim , Despite all these, however, we still grapple with the fact that not so many of us understand what it means to love truly, deeply and in a godly manner. Some of us even have the false notion that love is an abstract feeling that leaves us giddy whenever we see the object of our love. That is why, this verse from the epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians is a very welcome help that can illuminate our minds to one of the ways by which we can demonstrate love.
Paul wrote in his letter to the Thessalonians, to “encourage one another and build each other up\This admonition to the Christians in Thessalonica may very well be the same Instruction that the Lord is reminding us of today. Love is an action word This verse presents to us two ACTION words; BUILD and ENCOURAGE, BUILD, not destroy; ENCOURAGE not criticize. When we build, we come up with ways to improve the lot of others and make sure they flourish, thrive and not wither away. When we encourage, we use words or actions that can make other people feel good despite the not-so-good circumstances that surround their lives, to bring them hope -especially because everyone is facing varied kinds of challenges, struggles, difficulties, disappointments and frustrations in different forms and magnitude; in our personal lives, in the ministry, in our homes, with our finances, even in our health. All of us need encouragement; all of us need lo be built up.
So let us be God’s extension of his hands by building each other up; and His mouthpiece, by encouraging one another with our words.
Look around you. Who do you need to lift up today?
Sis. Araceli-Angeles-Escalaña
Teacher, CIC, Project 6, QC
