God Teaches Us To Love One Another — 1 Thessalonians 4:9–10
Aug 20, 2026 34
Christian love is not something we graduate from: however well we love one another, Paul urges us to do it more and more.
[9] Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, [10] for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more, (1 Thessalonians 4:9–10 ESV)
What an encouragement!
Paul does not need to convince the Thessalonians to begin loving one another. God has already taught them to love, and they are demonstrating that love to believers throughout Macedonia.
But Paul still urges them to “do this more and more”.
We saw the same encouragement at the beginning of the chapter. Paul is not saying, “You have failed in every possible way.” He can see evidence of God at work among them. His message is: good on you; keep going; do it more and more.
[Watch this week’s video devotion with Dave Miers]
Christian love is not something we graduate from. However well we are loving one another, there is still room to press on. We can become more faithful, more generous and more willing to serve. We can keep learning to put others’ needs ahead of our own.
This kind of love ought to make the church strikingly different from the surrounding culture. Rather than being driven by sex, money and power, God’s people are to be marked by faithfulness, generosity and servanthood.
The church should also be a place of refuge. People carry brokenness from their own sin and from the ways others have sinned against them. Loving one another means speaking the truth while also offering the kindness, acceptance, and grace of Christ.
The Good News Is…
Jesus did not love us from a safe distance. He gave himself fully for us in his life, death and resurrection. Even when we were far from God, Jesus drew near and opened the way for forgiveness and reconciliation. We love one another in response to the love he has already shown us. As his love changes us, the church can become a community where broken people find refuge, security, and hope in Christ.
Reflection
Who has God placed within your church family whom you could love more deliberately this week? What would faithfulness, generosity or servanthood look like towards them?
Rev. Dave Miers
President, Good News Unlimited