More and more

Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more...

And in fact, you do love all the brothers throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers, to do so more and more.                                                                                                           1 Thess. 4.1, 10

I have noted both these verses because they convey a common truth to me. It’s more than the expression ‘more and more’, yet this is the key to it.

Paul talks of living in order to please God. He also talks of loving all the brothers, surely an act which is pleasing to God. We are strongly exhorted to live in the fullness of pleasing God loving, not only the Holy Trinity but, all of humanity too. And we are to do this more and more.

These three words bring great excitement into my spirit. They indicate to me that I am on a journey, and I have further to go. This encourages me, it delights me. I am pleased to realise that I am not already there. I can happily say, “I’m glad this is not it!” I can, also happily, look forward to more and more.

There may be more and more challenges but there will also be more and more grace. For surely, where sin increased, grace increased all the more (Rom. 5.20). I may be called to endure more and more hardship, to experience more and more suffering and disappointment. But if I press in to God and seek Him always, I may know Him more and more intimately. I will, hopefully, become more and more Christ-like.

I rejoice in the knowledge – in the clear and joyful knowing – that I am a son of my heavenly Father. I know there are times when I struggle but, if I will only remember it, He is right there with me. I delight that the journey continues. Jesus has said to me, “Follow me.” I eagerly follow Him, reminding myself, when the going gets tough, of all that He endured for me. Indeed I can honestly say, even in the direst of times, “Well, Lord, they haven’t yet done to me what they did to You.” He is my example, my guide and my mentor. In response to His invitation I say, “Lord Jesus, I come.”

Lord God,

I thank You first of all for a new day and the newness of life that is in me. I thank You for the love You have for me that led You to give Your very self in divine sacrifice so that I might be reunited with You. In You I am freed of the shackles of sin. I know You in intimacy and I have the assurance of eternal blessing. I thank You that I do not have to wait for this wonderful life in You, for it has already begun.

I thank You also for the glorious invitation from my Lord Jesus to follow Him. I am not worthy, Lord. I know this and You know this. Yet it doesn’t matter. You accept me as I am, but You love me too much to allow me to remain as I am.

And so, I come to You, and I ask for more. Lord, I ask for more and more of Your love. I ask for more and more healing, teaching, guiding, equipping and fulfilling. May I know the fullness of Christ in me. Yes, Lord, please fill me, as full as is absolutely possible, with the real and dynamic presence of Jesus in me. Lead me to live to fully please You. Let me love every brother and sister beyond measure. And may I do these things ‘more and more’ as I ask it in Jesus’ Name.                                                                                                          Amen.