Pastor's Column 10/12/2025

PASTOR’S COLUMN

⁹  “How can we thank God enough for you in return  for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you?  ¹² May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.”          I Thessalonians 3:9;12, NIV   

"Favor, Increase and Overflow!"

In 13^th century England, people complained they were being cheated with weights and measures when they visited the market. This was prevalent with baked goods. The government imposed strict laws and punishments for bakers and other shop owners who cheated customers. Bakers feared being accused of defrauding their customers. To do so would mean going to jail, or losing their businesses, which was their livelihood. To counter even the perception of such dishonesty, when a customer purchased a dozen loaves of bread, they were given a 13^th smaller loaf. This practice, seen as a favor to the customer, was called a “Baker’s Dozen.”  It was the  business proprietor’s fear of breaking a law that led to a favor for the public. The favor God gives us is neither motivated nor mediated as a result of fear. It is God’s great love and kindness that positions us to receive His favor. We must align with his will. Whatever we receive from God is not the complete result of our doing – but it is, as the Apostle Paul said, “… the Lord [making] your love increase and overflow with each other…”  Favor is beautifully described in the Old Testament, commonly by the word hen, (pronounced chen). This is God’s grace and kindness in being pulled toward us. Favor is an act of God toward us. It is absent fear or punishment. Because God freely gives us more of His grace and love, there is an increase and overflow of His presence in us. This was Paul’s commendation to the Christians in Thessalonica. Some believed the return of Christ was soon and had slacked off from their responsibilities. In writing the saints in Thessalonica, Paul had learned a good number were holding fast to the teachings of Christ. This was evident in the abundance (overflow) of joy and increase of grace!