Grace in Action

                                                        1 Thessalonians 1:2-3
                                         We give thanks to God always for you all,
                                      mentioning of you in our prayers, remembering
                                     without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love,
                                        and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ
                                             in the sight of our God and Father

Paul wrote a letter of thanksgiving and prayer to the church at Thessalonica commending them for their work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope. He recognized how they worshipped and worked together, building each other up in faith, becoming a church of community.

As I read this Scripture I couldn't help but wonder if this would describe my church. Do we gather to grow in our faith, showing one another unconditional love, encouraging one another and building each other up in the faith? Do we grow in confidence in who we are in Christ because we have been with our community of sisters and brothers?

                          And let us consider one another in order to stir up love
                          and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves
                          together, as is the manner of  some, but exhorting one another,
                          and so much more as you see the Day approaching.    
                                                                                                   __Hebrews 10:23-25                              
When we feel genuinely loved we are free to be ourselves. There is no need to be self conscious or timid in our faith, but rather we are free to express our love for the Lord and for each other. In a community such as this there is no room for judging. We realize we have all sinned and are in need of a Savior. If we should stumble in our walk we have the assurance that those with whom we worship will gather us to themselves in love and assurance, giving us the confidence we need to walk once again in the grace of Christ. This is grace in action; loving others as we have been loved.

                          A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, 
                          as I have loved  you, that you also love one another. By this all 
                          will know that you are My  disciples, if you love one another.   
                                                                                                   __John 13:24-35  
             
The church of Thessalonica set an example for us all to follow. May we be willing to live a life of grace in action, encouraging one another in our community of believers, as together we grow in our love and faith in Jesus, our Lord and Savior.