“For this is the will of God….” (1 Thessalonians 4:3).

Wow! How often I have wished to have it given to me that clearly and that directly.

Most of the time, it seems, I’ve been left with the wish…and with the task to “figuring out” God’s will without that clear, direct word.

It strikes me, though, that determining God’s will for those “most of the time” situations would be greatly simplified if I faithfully lived by His already-revealed will.

For example, He clearly says I ought to return good for evil. Much less clear to me is whether we should return to Mexico as missionaries. It seems my first priority should be to live by His clearly-revealed will. That will “equip” me for correctly discerning His will in other areas.

Oh, and what’s the rest of the above thought from the Scriptures?

“…even your sanctification…”

“…that ye should abstain from fornication…”

“…That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour.” (4).

A new issue sat on the merry-go-round of my mind as one of my first waking thoughts this morning.

Around and around and around and around.

Are we having fun yet? You would think so, the way I allowed that issue to have its ride.

Unfortunately, it bordered on nursing an insult, on feeding a hurt.

Sigh

Then I read this:

“And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you” (1 Thessalonians 3:12).

Uh oh

That’s what I need, alright.

I need the Lord to cause my love for others to flourish.

I need the Lord to turn me into a sample of His love — “even as we do toward you.”