GOD CAUSES INCREASE "I have planted, Apollos watered; but God GAVE THE INCREASE. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that GIVETH THE INCREASE. " (1 Corinthians 3:6-7) -- Tomorrow:
Jesus declared the mutual love of His followers was the way people would be able to identify they were His disciples. "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" (John 13:35). The lack of brother love, therefore, puts the reality of being a follower of Jesus into question.
It is one thing to love the people of God, it is quite another to "abound" in such love. Here is an area of spiritual increase that will bring great glory to God. We are admonished, "see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently" (1 Pet 1:22). This is not an area where we can be dilatory or lag behind. For this reason, those who excel in their love for the saints of God are commended for it. "We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all ABOUNDS toward each other" (2 Thess 1:3).
Paul knew that such love came from God. While it did involve considerable human effort, it was not generated in the energy of the flesh. Thus the Apostle prayed, "And the Lord MAKE YOU to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you" (1 Thess 3:12). The NASB reads, "CAUSE you to increase and abound in love."
The language is unusually strong: "MAKE you to increase and abound in love . . ." Rest assured, the Lord will not do this independently of man's desire--but it IS He who does it! This is not the Lord's answer to the LACK of brotherly love. Where brotherly love is not found, regeneration has not occurred, regardless of profession. As it is written, "whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother" (1 John 3:10). And again, "He that loveth not his brother abideth in death" (1 John 3:14). And again, "He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love" (1 John 4:8). And again, "If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?" (1 John 4:20). There is no question about this matter.
God causing brotherly love to abound is the means of bringing the body of Christ into the area of intended blessing. This is when godly efforts produce results. It is the Lord increasing what has been planted and watered.
Were it possible to experience an increase of love toward one another and "all men" on our own, Paul would never have prayed in this manner. The fact that he did pray in this way confirms both the necessity and availability of such love. He knew the source of life! The prayer itself confirms that "it is God that gives the increase!"