Paul’s example in 1 Thessalonians 2:17–20 is one of the most powerful illustrations of the love which a pastor ought to have for his flock; it provides a challenge to every pastor to ask himself how he understands his relationship with his people. Does he see them simply as the means by which to build his career or reputation? Are they there to provide him with a job and a livelihood? Or is his relationship with them characterized by true Christlike love?
Pastor Albert Martin, in his lectures on pastoral theology, challenges ministers with a very helpful definition of love: Love is that gracious and principled disposition of goodwill that desires and practically seeks the good of its object, even at personal cost.
Each word in this definition is significant:
Love is gracious; it cannot be produced by human effort and is the result of God’s gracious working in a person’s heart.
Love is principled; it is based not on a whim, impulse, or emotion, but on a definite and ongoing commitment.
Love is a disposition; it is the prevailing aspect of one’s nature rather than being sporadic and irregular.
Love desires and practically seeks the good of its object, rather than its own good. At its heart, this would include a concern for the true spiritual well-being of the person loved.
Love operates even at personal cost. The Lord Jesus himself provides the supreme example of such love (Matthew 20:28; John 13:34; Philippians 2:4–8).1
17 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,