May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father. (1 Thess. 3:13)
Expanded Passage: 1 Thessalonians 3:13
I never thought I could love another person so much until I married my husband, and my surprise was repeated again with the births of my two sons. And yet I still found myself, on my honeymoon, nitpicking my brand-new husband’s driving. Within weeks of my sons’ births, I found myself being selfish in small ways—being resentful of their crying at night, even if only for an instant. I had never experienced love so profound, and yet I was still so imperfect.
As I think of my relationships, with my husband, children, family, and friends, I see all the ways I have been weak, unsupportive, or even shamefully cruel. I have been curt with roommates, rude to strangers, and insensitive to my mother. All my worst habits are cast in stark relief against a blameless Savior.
And yet, the Bible reminds us that we will be made blameless in Christ—but only as he strengthens our hearts. Alone, we will continue to fail, to be weak, and anything but blameless. As we surrender to him for his cleansing and strengthening, he will look at our motives and know we are blameless. By his grace, let’s pray for that same strengthening, cleansing, and blamelessness for the Christian community of which we are a part. Let’s do our best to love and strengthen each other as we wait for his return.
Ask God to shape your Christian community into his model of loving holiness.
Lindsey Priest is an Indiana Wesleyan University graduate. She likes to read to her kids, play video games with her husband, and refurbish furniture.
© 2026 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
