GOOD GROWTH
2 THESSALONIANS 1:3-4
2 THESSALONIANS 1:3-4
3 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, 4 so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure,
OBSERVATION:
I get amused with some of the young guys on our staff. They eat like there's no tomorrow. Any food left in the staff breakroom never has a chance of seeing the light of another day. But I know that another day is coming, and free-for-all eating leads to unwanted growth. This is the voice of experience talking.
But there is some growth that we should all strive for. And Paul highlights two areas in his second letter to the church at Thessalonica.
Paul is thanking God that the faith of the believers here in Thessalonica is growing. And not simply growing, but growing a great deal.
I don't believe Paul was a man given to hyperbole. He acknowledged their growing faith, but he was thanking God for the growth.
How could Paul have been able to discern their growing faith? Verse four reveals the key. Because faith is associated with action, Paul noted that this church was handling the problems that came their way without giving up or giving in.
In the first letter to the Thessalonians, Paul had sent Timothy to them to encourage and strengthen their faith. He did not want them to be shaken by the trouble they were experiencing. Evidently, Timothy's mission was successful because now Paul is acknowledging how they handled the negatives that came their way. He even used this Thessalonian church as an example and bragged on them to other churches.
Not only did their faith grow, but their love for each other had also noticeably picked up. Faith and love are a powerful spiritual combination. We tend to highlight faith, but we should not lose sight of the fact that God is love. Love, the agape God kind of love, is a powerful force. Paul even refers to love as part of a believer's protection in 1 Thessalonians 5:8.
APPLICATION:
What a church celebrates can become the goal that the members shoot for. We celebrate living for God, growing stronger, and making a difference. Growing stronger should be centered around growing stronger in our faith in God and our love for one another. With the right heart, living for God, and growing in our faith and love, we will make a difference in our world, communities, families, and as individuals.
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father please guide me by Your word and Spirit so that my faith grows in a big way and my love flourishes towards Your people and for all.