“May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you” (1 Thessalonians 3:12).
It’s not easy to love everyone. It doesn’t come naturally. How can we love people who are our enemies when they use every opportunity to cause us discomfort? I love my friends and I love my family but, in my own power, I find it hard to love people who abuse me and work against the things I love.
Paul had people in his life who opposed him and everything he did, yet he could talk about overflowing love for “everyone.” If you’re like me you may find that among the most difficult challenges of your life. But, Paul not only tells us to do it, he describes how it is possible. “May the Lord make your love increase and overflow….”
Jesus enables us to love everyone. That’s because He loves everyone and when we believe in Him we reflect who He is. This isn’t about me trying hard and failing. It’s about me allowing His love to flow through me to others. His love for others can touch them through me. Don’t try this on your own, it won’t work! But with Jesus it can become a lifestyle. He has proved that this kind of love works and love really does conquer all.
