Labor of Love

grandboy in the blackberry patch

"We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers; constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father." (1 Thessalonians 1:2-3)

Granddaddy's garden is a labor of faith, love, and steadfastness. His blackberry bushes surprisingly produced an encore of berries this fall, and the grandboys love to help pick 'em and eat 'em.

Twice this morning, I came across 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3, and Jesus had my attention. In this passage, the Apostle Paul commended believers in Thessalonica, Greece for their work of faith, labor of love, and steadfastness of hope in Christ. The Message interpretation goes on to say: "It is clear to us, friends, that God not only loves you very much but also has put His hand on you for something special. When the Message we preached came to you, it wasn't just words. Something happened in you. The Holy Spirit put steel in your convictions."

It reminded me of the 1960s hymn, "They'll Know We Are Christians by Our Love." Beloved, when people observe us, will they see faith, love, and hope?

We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord

We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord

And we pray that our unity will one day be restored

And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love

Yes, they'll know we are Christians by our love

We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand

We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand

And together we'll spread the news that God is in our land

And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love

Yes, they'll know we are Christians by our love

We will work with each other, we will work side by side

We will work with each other, we will work side by side

And we'll guard each man's dignity and save each man's pride

And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love

Yes, they'll know we are Christians by our love

All praise to the Father

from whom all things come,

And all praise to Christ 

Jesus, His only Son

And all praise the Spirit

who makes us one

And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love

Yes, they'll know we are Christians by our love