1 Thessalonians 4 (NKJV)
1 Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God;
2 for you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus.
I was struck with the idea of “abound more and more” this morning in my prayer time.
I’m afraid that far too often we do more bouncing than abounding.
“Bouncing” involves a lot of movement and exertion but little progress.
That describes a lot of Christians and churches. They are busy but not growing. They bounce back and forth between being “fired-up” and lukewarm. They repent often but make little progress in conquering the besetting sin that keeps bouncing back.
Abounding on the other hand is a chain-breaking, sin-defeating, progress-making activity.
Amazingly, Paul sets the bar high; he declares that we are not only to abound, but abound more and more.
I think this matter deserves a little more thought. I’ll land here for another day or two.
For now…
- The ONE THING for today: Facing the truth is the first step in breaking out of a holding pattern (bouncing). So, truthfully, are you busy and active but only “bouncing” or are you abounding—and even abounding more and more?
Tomorrow’s reflection will deal with this matter in more detail.
“Most people want progress as long as they do not have to change very much to get it.”
_Richard Kriegbaum, Leadership Prayers, page 113
