Joh 14:21  "Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him." 

The very Word of God, the life and the life giver, He is our sacrifice and our savior. He is Jesus Christ, Yeshua Messiah, Isa Al Masih. He is Yahweh. He is Absolute Love. Love and justice, mercy and judgement find complete harmony in Him. Grace and command are one when given by Him. They are issued as a call to receive grace to those whom He loves. 

This is the distinction between those who find forgiveness in God's loving response to them in their rebellion and those who are left with a rebellious hatred. You see they only receive what there heart desires, they love to rebel against God. Their love for others is because they share in the rebellion as companions. Yet they do not have any true love for others as to hold their companions back from the destruction they seek together. It is the love of their heart that keeps them from satisfaction which that they eternally seek and are never satisfied. 


2Co 4:3, 4  "And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God." 

We are like them with this one exception, God's love shining into our hearts. It is nothing from us, we are acted upon by the only initiator of activity. He is the only sovereign, creator God. 


2Co 4:5, 6  "For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake.  For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."


There has been a change, yet it is a fragile change that is continually nurtured by love. It is God's work in us. 

2Co 4:7  "But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us." 

It is not the change in us that matters. It is the love that is given and reflected in our hearts.


Gal 5:5, 6  "For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love." 

 Nothing that we do outside of the loving response of the obedience of faith will be acceptable. 

Rom 14:23  But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.

Loving God then is uttermost but it causes a real love for others around us whether they bring companionship  or not. This true love is a compulsion a controlling desire to bring them to love, to face the love of Christ in death on their behalf. To have His love shine into their hearts also and to love that they be forgiven and changed.


2Co 5:14-21  "For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.  From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.  For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." 

I posted this last Friday after blogging through 2 Thessalonians chapter one. I have been thinking about the judgement of God all weekend.
It is a judgement we all deserve, yet some are pardoned. What do we have hope in if we continue to fail God and sin? It is only by continually throwing ourselves on God's amazing grace, our faith working itself out through love. 

Nothing else matters. Nothing we do earns God's favor. It is His love poured out into our hearts. 

God is Absolute Love. 

I prayed and thought about this passage for a long time. How could there be some who say there is no hell, there is no eternal punishment, that God's love is just a free pass. 

Some say that all will be party and rejoicing. Some say it doesn't matter what you do only believe. But what kind of heaven is there when there is no repentance that goes along with forgiveness. What kind of perfect world is there if evil is welcomed. 

I don't read my Bible or the truth of this life in that way. There must be an Absolute. An Absolute Love. That says here it is, here is the standard. I will not allow it to be compromised or impure. 

Yes God is a God of joy and love, but it seems love must include justice related to an absolute standard. 

So there is silence in heaven for a half hour. Have you tried to be silent in a group of people for half an hour. I imagine it would be a sight only seen in a group who are both deeply awed, deeply saddened and profoundly filled with love. I think of someone in a civil war coming across a loved family member who fought on the other side, dying and close to death. They are enemies, yet have a bond to one another. This might be the feeling we sense when judgement falls on others and we are pardoned through god's grace. 

2Th 1:5- 10  "This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering-- since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you,  and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels  in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might,  when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed." 

Rev 8:1  "When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour." 

We will all marvel at Him when He returns at the glory of His might.

"The economy of salvation has a meaningful form. If it were only the series of events that God undertook to save us, the economy might conceivably be a long, spread-out sequence of events, all with equal importance. But the economy also communicates. God has given form and order to the history of salvation because he intends not only to save us through it but also to reveal himself through it. The economy is shaped by God’s intention to communicate his identity and character. If the history of salvation is also the way God shows us who he is and what he is like, then it makes sense that it would be a history with a clear and distinct shape. It may be vast, but it is well proportioned and does not suffer from sprawl. It features an obvious central point as the focus of attention. That obvious central point is the sending of Jesus, the Son of God anointed by the Holy Spirit. So even though the economy of salvation starts in the garden of Eden, spans hundreds of divine interventions, and is not concluded yet, it is still easy to discern its center and to read its total form. The center of the economy of salvation is the nexus where the Son and the Holy Spirit are sent by the Father to accomplish reconciliation. WATCH JESUS AND THINK TRINITY It might seem odd to point anywhere but to Jesus Christ as the center of the history of salvation. He is indeed, in person, the very center of the divine plan, and in fact we are not pointing elsewhere than to him for the revelation of God. But our goal is not just to put our finger on the center but to point to it in such a way that the total form of the economy also becomes apparent. To get that big picture, we have to see Jesus not in isolation but in Trinitarian perspective. He is sent by the Father, and everything he does is done in company with the Holy Spirit."


Sanders, Fred (2010-08-31). The Deep Things of God: How the Trinity Changes Everything (pp. 132-133). Good News Publishers/Crossway Books. Kindle Edition.

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"The gospel is that God is God for us, that he gives himself to be our salvation. In this sense, as John Piper has said in a series of meditations on God’s love as the gift of himself: “God is the gospel.”39 He does not give us some thing that makes us blessed, but he blesses us by giving us himself. It is a great thing to have said this much: to have thought such grand thoughts about salvation that we have come to view it as God-sized, and to confront the fact that God gives nothing less than himself to be our salvation. But it is not yet enough, because we have not yet said it specifically enough to bring out its actual contours. It is high time to move from the size of the gospel, to the shape of the gospel. We have already had to sidestep this theme repeatedly in the present chapter, at the cost of remaining somewhat abstract and general in places where specificity was called for. Certain pressing questions must now be faced: if God gives himself to us, how is it that he has himself to give? If evangelical existence is the life of God in the soul of man, what is this life with which the living God is alive and which he can put into the human soul without obliterating its humanity? When God puts himself forward to be our salvation in person, who is this person? This God who is the gospel is God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. To these three we now turn."  


"But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God. GALATIANS 4:4–7 When God designed the great and glorious work of recovering fallen man, and the saving of sinners, to the praise of the glory of his grace, he appointed, in his infinite wisdom, two great means thereof: The one was the giving his Son for them, and the other was the giving his Spirit to them. And hereby was way made for the manifestation of the glory of the whole blessed Trinity; which is the utmost end of all the works of God. JOHN OWEN1"

Sanders, Fred (2010-08-31). The Deep Things of God: How the Trinity Changes Everything (p. 126, 127). Good News Publishers/Crossway Books. Kindle Edition.

Blogs to return Monday

2Th 1:1-4  "Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:  Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring." 

You are a great example of what being called and set apart by God looks like. You have taken on the characteristics of The Lord of the Universe, Jesus Christ. You have been filled up through grace and filled with peace from the Prince of Peace. Our grateful hearts are rejoicing in how your faith has grown, flourished into love for others. You are a model of how faith endures in the midst of persecution and suffering. 

The persecution is further convicting evidence upon those who are in rebellion that God's wrath is right and just. It also proves to you that God is holding you up giving you strength and courage to walk through these persecutions right into the presence of His kingdom. 

God is going to avenge your unjust persecution and He will provide to you relief. When Jesus comes again judgement, wrath and righteous vengeance will be unleashed upon those who deny God. They didn't want to have anything to do with God and they despise God's commands given in love, so they will get what they wanted. They will eternally be separated from God. Not knowing the love and forgiveness they rejected in rejecting Jesus. The god news came to them and it was mocked and thrown away to their own destruction. This is what they chose for themselves, eternity outside of the only source of life and fulfillment. They will eternally be on fire with the desire to have what never satisfies, insatiable thirst and burning. This is what the coming of the Lord of love will be like for those who do not respond in faith and love to His good news. 

You on the other hand marveled at as you bask in the glory of how Jesus Christ has brought you through this persecution, this tribulation. All of this is because you believed and received the truth of Jesus Christ. 

2Th 1:5- 10  "This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering-- since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you,  and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels  in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might,  when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed." 

So we pray always with this end in mind, your resolve to show the worth of Jesus Christ in your hearts. Doing all things in His power, so that all glory goes to Him. His name is lifted up. You glorify Him in all things, and you are glorified by remaining steadfast in faith clinging to His power. All of this is a work of grace from God, through the intercession of the Lord. He is Jesus Christ, Isa Al Masih, Yeshua Messiah. He is Yahweh. He is Absolute Love. 

2Th 1:11, 12  "To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power,  so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ."

 Rev 8:1  "When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour." 

Addendum to blog; 

I prayed and thought about this passage for a long time. How could there be some who say there is no hell, there is no eternal punishment, that God's love is just a free pass. 

Some say that all will be party and rejoicing. Some say it doesn't matter what you do only believe. But what kind of heaven is there when there is no repentance that goes along with forgiveness. What kind of perfect world is there if evil is welcomed. 

I don't read my Bible or the truth of this life in that way. There must be an Absolute. An Absolute Love. That says here it is, here is the standard. I will not allow it to be compromised or impure. 

Yes God is a God of joy and love, but it seems love must include justice related to an absolute standard. 

So there is silence in heaven for a half hour. Have you tried to be silent in a group of people for half an hour. I imagine it would be a sight only seen in a group who are both deeply awed, deeply saddened and profoundly filled with love. I think of someone in a civil war coming across a loved family member who fought on the other side, dying and close to death. They are enemies, yet have a bond to one another. This might be the feeling we sense when judgement falls on others and we are pardoned through god's grace. 

1Th 5:15  "See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone."

Make sure of this, that you are not evil in fighting evil. The only way to fight evil is by good. In every way at all times love others with the Love of the Lord. He is Absolute Love. His justice in punishing evil is the only justice that will include righteousness. 


1Th 5:16  "Rejoice always,"


1Th 5:17  "pray without ceasing,"


1Th 5:18  "give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."


1Th 5:19  "Do not quench the Spirit."


1Th 5:20, 21  "Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good."


1Th 5:22  "Abstain from every form of evil."

Now it is up to God in every way, through pouring out love and peace into your heart, to make you purely separated to Him. He is able to cleanse you completely, body, soul and spirit and present you blameless in Christ when the Lord returns. He is faithful, it is absolutely certain He will do it. 

1Th 5:23, 24  "Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it."

Keep praying for us, give all there our love. Promise to read this to everyone. The Lord Jesus has poured out grace upon you. 

1Th 5:25- 28  "Brothers, pray for us.  Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.  I put you under oath before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you."

1Th 5:2, 3 "For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, "There is peace and security," then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape." 

You are fully in the know about the Lord Jesus Christ coming back as Judge of all. Those who think they are at peace, hidden from God's eyesight, untouched by His presence, ignoring His commands, His coming will mean swift justice. Their comfort will be destroyed and they will find that they have been sleeping in the midst of a thief having ransacked them and all that is their prized possessions.

You won't be surprised. You are wide awake. The thief has been robbed himself of your heart. Your heart now is transformed, awoken, made alive to the Love of God. He is Absolute Love. You won't be sleeping or in a stupor, drunken on the desire for the lies of peace and safety told by the thief. You are full of faith and love, hoping in God and the salvation He has brought to you through His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ.

1Th 5:4- 8 "But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness.  So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.  For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. 

For here is what those in God are destined to; salvation not destruction and judgement.Whether we are still alive or have fallen asleep in Christ, we will live forever with Him, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

1Th 5:9, 10 "For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him." 

So be encouraged and build one another up in this truth, keep doing it over and over. Show respect and esteem to those who teach and admonish you in the Lord. Show them love and maintain the peace with other s.

1Th 5:11-13  "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves." 

Poke the idle into action. Lift up those with very little courage through encouragement. Provide the strength the Lord has given to you to help those with very little strength. Be patient toward all of those around you, look at how patient God is with you! Don't repay others with evil, even if they have done evil things to you. Look at what God has given you; mercy, grace and love. Always seek to do good to everyone.

1Th 5:14, 15  "And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone." 

1Th 4:1- 6  "Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality;  that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you." 

In the final analysis as you have begun to follow after the Lord Jesus, walking in Love, and living to please God; keep doing the same thing all the time more and more. For we told you everything you need to know to discern what God's will is for you. It is your purity and being fully transformed into the image of God. You remember this was His intent for us at the beginning. So run away from sexual immorality, learn self control as the fruit that the Spirit of God provides. In all things be separated unto God and act in ways that honor Him. How He has created you to be. Not driven by the passions of gratifying the flesh, but glorifying God. Not doing any wrong in using a brother and sister in ways that bring dishonor.

 Jesus Christ Himself is coming back to avenge all dishonor to the Father. He alone is the shelter and safety of us all. He is Absolute Love. He is Yahweh, Yeshua Messiah, Isa Al Masih. 

For this is why God created us, called us and separated us out according to His will, or being like Him. Formed into His image. You are not indebted to men for this, it is not a burdensome law. This is the very truth of God, the perfect law of liberty. The result of being filled with God's Spirit. 

1Th 4:7, 8  "For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you." 



1Th 4:9 - 12   "Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more,  and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one." 



1Th 4:13- 18  "But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.  Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.  Therefore encourage one another with these words." 

You don't need to ask when  this will happen? How can I get ready to see the Lord Jesus? How can I be saved from God's wrath?


1Th 5:1  "Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you." 

You know that the whole world is crying out for peace and security. You know that the end will come and steal away the peace of those who seek peace in the sense of this world. This world is passing away and will be destroyed. All who have hope only here will not escape wrath. They walk as though in the middle of the night, in complete darkness. 
You are in the light fully aware that your home is with God, found in Jesus Christ. Now in the light of His love be fully alive, be fully awake. This is no time to rest, party and get drunk. Keep alert and sober in mind. 

1Th 5:2- 7  "For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, "There is peace and security," then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief.  For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night." 

So as those who are fully alive be filled in your heart with faith and love, filling your mind with the knowledge of the salvation Jesus Christ has given to you full of hope in the future kingdom of Christ. He is now reigning and His rule is forever and ever, no end, no limit, nothing that can stand in opposition to Him. 

1Th 5:8  "But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation." 

1Th 2:19 - 3:3 "For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you?  For you are our glory and joy. Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left behind at Athens alone, and we sent Timothy, our brother and God's coworker in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith, that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this." 


Our hope and joy, yes the crowning achievement to present to the Lord at His second coming, is others who have heard and responded to the good news of Jesus Christ first coming and dying. He came to redeem those who believe on Him. So what was a concern was that you would see our afflictions and persecution as a reason for not believing the message. You do know though, that being redeemed doesn't exempt you from being persecuted. In fact, belief in Christ's love brings with it the destiny of sharing in His suffering. The Absolute Love of God is the smell of death to those who don't believe. 


2Co 2:15, 16  "For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?" 

This is what we told you before, when we were with you. We were meant destined to suffer and so it was no surprise. So I was fearful that the tempter, he is a great accuser and liar, would convince you that it was Christ who had been defeated. He loves to make us think we are wrong, or weak, or ineffective. Now I am so glad to hear of your strong faith that is demonstrated in love. The reports of you are very comforting, giving us strength and boldness. 

1Th 3:4- 7  "For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know. For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain. But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to see you-- for this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith." 

For now we live and are strengthened by you steadfast love in the Lord. We are so thankful and filled with joy over what God is doing through you. Our prayers are constantly reflecting to God our desire to see you and return the strength you have given us back to you. 

1Th 3:8- 10  "For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord. For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God, as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith?" 

Now we are asking God, our Father and our Lord- Commander Jesus- to direct our way back to see you. In the mean time we ask that His Absolute Love increase and pour over through you, to one another and beyond. It is in His Love flowing into you and through you that your hearts become blameless before God the Father and you be made separate as His adopted children. This is the hope of our faith and the belief of our hearts that we will be found in Him at the second coming of the Lord Jesus. This is true for all who are called out and separated unto Him in faith. 

1Th 3:11 - 12 "Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you, and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints." 

"The Godhead being thus begotten by God's loving an idea of Himself and shewing forth in a distinct subsistence or person in that idea, there proceeds a most pure act, and an infinitely holy and sacred energy arises between the Father and Son in mutually loving and delighting in each other, for their love and joy is mutual, (Prov. 8:30) "I was daily His delight rejoicing always before Him." This is the eternal and most perfect and essential act of the Divine nature, wherein the Godhead acts to an infinite degree and in the most perfect manner possible. The Deity becomes all act, the Divine essence itself flows out and is as it were breathed forth in love So that the Godhead therein stands forth in yet another manner of subsistence, and there proceeds the third Person in the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, viz., the Deity in act, for there is no other act but the act of the will. We may learn by the Word of God that the Godhead or the Divine nature and essence does subsist in love. (I John 4:8) "He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love." In the context of which place I think it is plainly intimated to us that the Holy Spirit is that Love, as in the 12th and 13th verses. "If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and His love is perfected in us; hereby know we that we dwell in Him ... because He hath given us of His Spirit."



Edwards, Jonathan (2010-12-17). An Unpublished Essay on the Trinity (Kindle Locations 38-47).  . Kindle Edition.

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"IT IS COMMON when speaking of the Divine happiness to say that God is infinitely happy in the enjoyment of Himself, in perfectly beholding and infinitely loving, and rejoicing in, His own essence and perfection, and accordingly it must be supposed that God perpetually and eternally has a most perfect idea of Himself, as it were an exact image and representation of Himself ever before Him and in actual view, and from hence arises a most pure and perfect act or energy in the Godhead, which is the Divine love, complacence and joy. The knowledge or view which God has of Himself must necessarily be conceived to be something distinct from His mere direct existence. There must be something that answers to our reflection. The reflection as we reflect on our the idea of God, if it be proper to call a conception of that that is purely spiritual an idea. If a man could have an absolutely perfect idea of all that passed in his mind, all the series of ideas and exercises in every respect perfect as to order, degree, circumstance and for any particular space of time past, suppose the last hour, he would really to all intents and purpose be over again what he was that last hour. every thought at the same moment or moments that that thought was and of every exercise at and during the same time that that exercise was, and so through a whole hour, a man would really be two during that time, he would be indeed double, he would be twice at once. The idea he has of himself would be himself again. Note, by having a reflex or contemplative idea of what passes in our own minds I don't mean consciousness 

Or if we mean by consciousness of what is in our own minds anything besides the mere simple existence in our minds of what is there, it is nothing but a power by reflection to view or contemplate what passes. Therefore as God with perfect clearness, fullness and strength, understands Himself, views His own essence (in which there is no distinction of substance and act but which is wholly substance and wholly act), that that idea which God hath of Himself is absolutely Himself. This representation of the Divine nature and essence is the Divine nature and essence again: so that by God's thinking of the Deity must certainly be generated. there is another person begotten, there is another Infinite Eternal Almighty and most holy and the same God, the very same Divine nature. And this Person is the second person in the Trinity, the Only Begotten and dearly Beloved Son of God; He is the eternal, necessary, perfect, substantial and personal idea which God hath of Himself; and that it is so seems to me to be abundantly confirmed by the Word of God."



Edwards, Jonathan (2010-12-17). An Unpublished Essay on the Trinity (Kindle Locations 2-25).  . Kindle Edition.

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1Th 2:1 -6  "For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain. But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict.  For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive,  but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.  For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed--God is witness. Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ." 

Even though some don't like us and what we stand for, it is well worth it for us to talk about the mercy, grace forgiveness and love of God. He is Absolute Love. Yes, we suffered the shame of being treated as dirt and were thrown out. That doesn't matter our motivation is not to be accepted or approved of by others. Our objective and motivation is pure, forthright as messengers of the Love of God. All of this only tests us to see if God has really taken over our hearts. We don't want praise or payment, it is not for our glory. The Glory belongs only to God, though as being sent by God we could be more demanding. We are instead, able to be boldly humble by God's grace. 
This is not what you experienced in our presence. We were not demanding, we were like parents taking loving care of needy children. We gave everything of ourselves, working hard day and night. We did not want to be in any way a burden, while we taught you of the gift of God's Son, Jesus; dying on a cross for you so that you might receive forgiveness and life from God. We shared with you the life of Christ, for He is risen and gives you all things for peace and righteousness. He wants you to be ready to walk without shame in His Kingdom, taking part in the Glory of His victory over death and sin.

1Th 2:7-12  "But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children.  So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us. For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. For you know how, like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory." 

What joy and gratefulness we received from God's Word taking hold of your lives. It changed your heart and lives so that you became Christ followers. You joined with all the called out ones from Judea in helping and loving them, because you also suffered the persecution of your own countrymen, just like the Jewish leaders and religious bigots in Judea persecuted Jesus, His followers and the Prophets. They either kill or drive out those who want to teach about the Love of God. They don't want salvation from God to be given to those outside of their little religious huddle. I, Paul know all about this, I used to be the one killing and persecuting believers in Jesus Christ. 
God in His grace rescued me, as He did all who come to Christ. We are all sinful and God made a way to come back to His loving arms. 
Even so there comes a time of judgement and it has come upon the Jewish leaders in Judea.  

1Th 2:13- 16  "And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers. For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews, who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out, and displease God and oppose all mankind by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved--so as always to fill up the measure of their sins. But God's wrath has come upon them at last!" 

We were torn away from your fellowship by the religious bigots, but our hearts still were with you. We have wanted to see you for a long time and make it back to fellowship with you, but Satan opposed us in doing so.

1Th 2:17, 18  "But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face, because we wanted to come to you--I, Paul, again and again--but Satan hindered us." 

For the only thing we have to feel joyful and proud about is what Christ has done in those around us. Our joy and glory is found in the lives God has touched through us. 

1Th 2:19, 20  "For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you?  For you are our glory and joy." 

1Th 1:1-3  "Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace. We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers,  remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ." 

We are writing to all of you in Thessalonica who are "in" God The Father and Jesus Christ. You know what I mean, you are folded into and your life is now hidden in the life of God. You no longer walk alone and no longer are you on your own. You are in God and His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Walking in and by The Spirit of God. He is Absolute Love. Grace is upon you and peace enfolds you. 

Here is how we know that you are chosen by God and are in God's love, because you not only heard the Word of God, you have a full conviction and display in your actions the power Of His Holy Spirit. You have known and acknowledge how what we brought to was a gift to you.

1Th 1:4, 5  "For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake." 

You became imitators of us and in turn imitators of The Lord Jesus. Even in being afflicted by others because of following Christ and God's Word, you are filled with Joy. This only comes from God's Holy Spirit within you. You are the example of the way a Christ follower acts.

1Th 1:6, 7  "And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia." 

Not only do you share with those close to you the Love of God, but your love from God is reaching far and wide. You turned away from idols and you are servants of God fully alive and Him alive in you. All this is in preparation, waiting and looking forward to the coming of the risen Christ. He is alive and coming again. He has redeemed and rescued us from God's wrath that is stored up against those rebelling against Him. His wrath will be terrible and just. 

1Th 1:8-10  "For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything. For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come." 

Col 3:14  "And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony." 

This is above everything love of God which is the only way to be filled with love for others, neighbors, brothers, sisters and enemies. Only God's love in us allows us to actually love others. He is Absolute Love. 

I want you to know that when you are folded into God's family, your family grows and grows. God is your Daddy, The Father. His love enfolds you. Jesus is your big brother, He cares for you and comes to your side in times of need. He is all powerful, He is Absolute Love, He would do anything for you but leave you, except to leave you in rebellion and in the wrath of the Father. He brings renewal and life, He is Yahweh. 

Many other faithful brothers and sisters will be there, look to them and love them. Work with them, suffer with them, pray and worship with them. Grow up together and challenge one another to grow and mature in Christlikeness, in love.

Col 4:7-17  "Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord.  I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts, and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here. Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions--if he comes to you, welcome him), and Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis.  Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas. Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea. And say to Archippus, "See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord." 

I am writing this to you in my own hand writing. I am not dictating this, even though I am tied to chains, imprisoned by men but free in Christ Jesus. My love is not diminished, may God give you grace to be filled with His love in all circumstances. 

Col 4:18  "I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you." 

Col 3:14-17  "And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.  And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." 



The one thing above all things for a Christ follower is to be clothed in love. God is Absolute Love, Jesus Christ the only begotten Son our LORD loved us and holds us up before His Father, The Holy Spirit is the power of Love folded into our hearts. God's love produces peace and thanksgiving. All of this flows from God's Word let it flow into you bringing you a rich, full life that overflows in gratefulness to God. 

This Love of God is the only way to live as a family in harmony, peace and love. Wives submitting to loving Husbands, who do not lay any harsh burdens on their wives, but carry the burdens lovingly in the wife's place.Children obeying parents out of love and respect for the LORD, though the parents may at times be inconsistent and certainly imperfect. Fathers encouraging and supporting the children's dreams and welfare. Never overburdening them nor being absent in their need. 

Col 3:18-21  "Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged." 

Those who serve others, don't pretend to please them, with a wink and a smile, all the while despising your place in life. God is in control, let your heart be filled with His sincere caring and strength, He is the only one we have to fear. He gives final rewards and punishments, it is only from Him that true freedom and fulfillment come. If the master or those over you are evil and mean, wrongdoing will be paid back, there is no partiality with God. The wealthy and the earthly kings will all be under the jurisdiction of the Lord of the Universe. He is the King of Kings, high above any earthly power or prestige. 
If you are in charge of someone else as a lord, manager or employer, watch out to be just and fair in dealing with those who you are over. Their is an ultimate Master and He sees how you view and act towards others. Would you like to be treated the way you treat those who serve you? 


Mat 7:12  "So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets." 

Col 3:22-4:1  "Slaves, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.  For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality. Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven." 

Watch and pray continually, it will feed thanksgiving into your hearts. You need God to continually fill you up with His heart of love. But also pray for me and for the advancement of the Gospel. 

Col 4:2-4  "Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.  At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison--  that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. 

When it comes to those outside of faith, walk wisely. Don't waste time that isn't advancing the Kingdom. Always speak graciously, carefully and in a way that seasons those around you with the flavor of God's mercy. This is the way to answer any challenges that come against you and your faith. 

Col 4:5, 6  "Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person." 

"Inward coveting—lack of love toward men—soon tends to spill over into the external world. It cannot be kept in the internal world completely. This occurs in various degrees. When I have a wrong regret that others have what I do not possess, and this regret is allowed to grow, very quickly it comes to make me dislike the person himself. Surely we all have felt this. As the Holy Spirit makes us increasingly honest with ourselves, we must acknowledge that often we have a dislike of a person because we have had wrong desire toward something of his. More than this, if I would be happy if he were to lose something, the next step in the external world is moving either subtly or more openly to cause him to have the loss, either in lying about him, stealing from him, or whatever it may be. In 1 Corinthians 10:23-24 I am told that my longing in love should be to seek for the other man’s good and not just my own: “All things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth.” And the same is true in 1 Corinthians 13:4-5: “Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own. . . .” When we read these things and understand that failure in these areas is really coveting, a lack of love, every one of us must be upon his knees as Paul was upon his knees when he saw the commandment not to covet; it destroys any superficial view of the my longing in love should be to seek for the other man’s good and not just my own: “All things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth.” And the same is true in 1 Corinthians 13:4-5: “Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own. . . .” When we read these things and understand that failure in these areas is really coveting, a lack of love, every one of us must be upon his knees as Paul was upon his knees when he saw the commandment not to covet; it destroys any superficial view of the Christian life. These are the areas of true spirituality. These are the areas of true Christian living. They are not basically external; they are internal, they are deep; they go down into the areas of our lives we like to hide from ourselves. The inward area is the first place of loss of true Christian life, of true spirituality, and the outward sinful act is the result. If we can only get hold of this—that the internal is the basic, the external is always merely the result—it will be a tremendous starting place."



Schaeffer, Francis A. (2001-09-01). True Spirituality (pp. 11-12). Tyndale House Publishers. Kindle Edition.

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"Love is internal, not external. There can be external manifestations, but love itself will always be an internal factor. Coveting is always internal; the external manifestation is a result. We must see that to love God with all the heart, mind, and soul is not to covet against God; and to love man, to love our neighbor as ourselves, is not to covet against man. When I do not love the Lord as I should, I am coveting against the Lord. And when I do not love my neighbor as I should, I am coveting against him. “Thou shalt not covet” is the internal commandment that shows the man who thinks himself to be moral that he really needs a Savior. The average such “moral” man, who has lived comparing himself to other men and comparing himself to a rather easy list of rules (even if they cause him some pain and difficulty), can feel, like Paul, that he is getting along all right. But suddenly, when he is confronted with the inward command not to covet, he is brought to his knees. It is exactly the same with us as Christians. This is a very central concept if we are to have any understanding or any real practice of the true Christian life or true spirituality. I can take lists that men make and I can seem to keep them, but to do that, my heart does not have to be bowed. But when I come to the inward aspect of the Ten Commandments, when I come to the inward aspect of the Law of Love, if I am listening even in a poor fashion to the direction of the Holy Spirit, I can no longer feel proud. I am brought to my knees. In this life I can  never say, “I have arrived; it is finished; look at me—I am holy.” When we talk of the Christian life or true spirituality, when we talk about freedom from the bonds of sin, we must be wrestling with the inward problems of not coveting against God and men, of loving God and men, and not merely some set of externals. This immediately raises a question. Does this mean that any desire is coveting and therefore sinful? The Bible makes plain that this is not so—all desire is not sin. So then the question arises, when does proper desire become coveting? I think we can put the answer down simply: desire becomes sin when it fails to include love of God or men. Further, I think there are two practical tests as to when we are coveting against God or men; first, I am to love God enough to be contented; second, I am to love men enough not to envy." 



Schaeffer, Francis A. (2001-09-01). True Spirituality (pp. 7-8). Tyndale House Publishers. Kindle Edition.

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"We must not think that because we have accepted Christ as Savior and are therefore Christians, this is all there is in the Christian life. In one way physical birth is the most important part in our physical life, because we are not alive in the external world until we have been born. In another way, however, it is the least important of all the aspects of our life, because it is only the beginning and then it is past. After we are born, the important thing is the living of our life in all its relationships, possibilities, and capabilities. It is exactly the same with the new birth. In one way, the new birth is the most important thing in our spiritual life, because we are not Christians until we have come this way. In another way, however, after one has become a Christian, it must be minimized, in that we should not always have our mind only on our new birth. The important thing after being born spiritually is to live. There is a new birth, and then there is the Christian life to be lived. This is the area of sanctification, from the time of the new birth through this present life, until Jesus comes or until we die. Often, after a person is born again and asks, “What shall I do next?” he is given a list of things, usually of a limited nature and primarily negative. Often he is given the idea that if he does not do this series of things (whatever this series of things happens to be in the particular country and location and at the time he happens to live), he will be spiritual. This is not so. The true Christian life, true spirituality, is not merely a negative not-doing of any small list of things. Even if the list began as a very excellent list of things to beware of in that particular historic setting, we still must emphasize that the Christian life, or true spirituality, is more than refraining from a certain list of external taboos in a mechanical way."



Schaeffer, Francis A. (2001-09-01). True Spirituality (pp. 4-5). Tyndale House Publishers. Kindle Edition.

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"Our true guilt, that brazen heaven which stands between us and God, can be removed only upon the basis of the finished work of Christ plus nothing on our part. The Bible’s whole emphasis is that there must be no humanistic note added at any point in the accepting of the gospel. It is the infinite value of the finished work of Christ, the second person of the Trinity, upon the cross plus nothing that is the sole basis for the removal of our guilt. When we thus come, believing God, the Bible says we are declared justified by God, the guilt is gone, and we are returned to fellowship with God—the very thing for which we were created in the first place. Just as the only basis for the removal of our guilt is the finished work of Christ upon the cross in history, plus nothing, so the only instrument for accepting that finished work of Christ upon the cross is faith. This is not faith in the twentieth-century or Kierkegaardian concept of faith as a jump in the dark—not a solution on the basis of faith in faith. It is believing the specific promises of God; no longer turning our backs on them, no longer calling God a liar, but raising the empty hands of faith and accepting that finished work of Christ as it was fulfilled in history upon the cross."



Schaeffer, Francis A. (2001-09-01). True Spirituality (pp. 3-4). Tyndale House Publishers. Kindle Edition.

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Col 3:1-4  "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory." 

Having been raised to newness of heart and having a new direction in life, set out on the quest-the journey of knowing the majesty, authority, beauty, grandeur and absolute love of God given to to you in Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ has taken over and He is your life. His presence verified by the things that occupy your mind and heart is the guarantee and promise that He is coming back again for you. 

Yes He is coming back, He will know if your life is really changed. Have you repented from your rebellion against God. Those who are alive to God have put to death immorality, they no longer live driven by fulfilling there bodies passion, desiring to do evil things- being covetous of others. This is worshiping idols. Is there anything that has replace the place of having God as the passion driving your life goals and actions? 
It is these things that is building up wrath and God's love is pure, right and full; delivering justice. 
You used to be like that yourself, so don't point the finger of superiority, there is no room for arrogance or pride. Love is filled with humility. 
In all humility put away anger, wrath and malicious activities. Don't slander others and drive away obscenity. Stop lying to yourself and telling others lies. 
Your focus upon Jesus Christ will renew you and form you in the image of God. This is what you were created for and it is the only way that you will be fulfilled.

Col 3:5-10  "Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.  Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator."

This image of God, this acceptance in Jesus Christ has nothing to do with ethnic or national origins. It is not about religious ceremony, rules or ritual. It is not about social status or personal economic position. It is only about coming to Christ. He is everything and the only thing this acceptance before God is about. 

Col 3:11  "Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all."

So in Him, through Him, put on the life of God given by His Spirit. He has chosen you to pour into you His character. This only comes from Him, compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience. This is the description of Him who is separate from all things. You are loved because He is Absolute Love. So act like you don't deserve the things you have been given from God. He has been bearing with you in your rebellion so bear with others around you. Forgive others, just as Christ has given you a forgiveness that is undeserved.    You must have a Spirit of forgiveness.


Mat 6:14, 15  "For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you,  but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses"


Col 3:12, 13  "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive." 

He is Absolute Love, this establishes all things connected to Him harmoniously. This is the characteristic of those who follow Him. 

Col 3:14  "And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony." 

If you follow His peace will rule over your heart and guide you in all circumstance. He has called those who follow to be united and be filled with gratefulness. 

Col 3:15  "And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful." 

Here is the practical things that will allow Christ heart to be built into your heart. Let His Word take up living space in you. This is the base for anything that is taught, any admonishment. This is the wisdom of God, sing about it, from the psalms, make hymns and spiritual songs that come directly from His Word. Find ways to keep the thankfulness you have towards God built up in your hearts. 
The whole idea is to do anything and everything in a way that it holds up the character of God, it should be focused on glorifying Christ, and reflects thanks to God through praise to His Son. 

Col 3:16, 17  "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."