You do love all of God’s family throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more. (1 Thess. 4:10)
Expanded Passage: 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10
In high school science class, we were taught that a catalyst was any component that could speed up a chemical reaction without itself being altered. While the same chemical reaction cannot be reversed, the catalyst can be used many times over. In the same way love must be the catalyst for each action we take, whether that may be caring for someone who is unwell or supporting a mission trip to spread the gospel. The love we have received from God ought to cause us to take swift action to meet the needs of others. Demonstrating love to others will bring about a change in them and us.
As disciples of Christ, we have grown exponentially through the love that God offers us. That is, many of us were once engaging in things that did not please God, and through his love we underwent a change reaction. Additionally, the church of Christ has grown numerically because many people have come to accept God’s love for them. As believers in Christ, we must keep in mind that Christ’s return is closer than before, and therefore we should love harder than ever before. Allow that love to take us out of our comfort zone and into a place of service. When we operate from a heart of love for God our actions will be pleasing unto him.
Choose to operate from a heart of love.
Olivia Isra’el is a wife, mother, and a CBT therapist who enjoys writing. She is grateful to convey the love of God through text.
© 2026 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
