2 Thessalonians 1:3-4, “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.”
Paul gave words of affirmation to the people in the church in Thessalonica for the growth in their faith and love for one another. Paul and his coworkers could see their prayers (1 Thessalonians 3:12) for these people were being answered by their steadfastness and faith growing abundantly. The HCSB version uses the phrase “your faith is flourishing” despite the continued and severe persecutions they were experiencing. Paul and his team were so proud of them that they boasted to other churches about their commitment to the Lord and love for each other. They were models of living out their increasing and flourishing persevering faith and love for each other despite unjust and unfair persecutions. They were survivors. However, Paul is not commending them here for their hope, only faith and love, because they had become confused, idle, and disorderly with the excuse of waiting for Christ’s return. Paul’s intended message was misinterpreted and misunderstood when he had taught about Christ’s imminent return. Paul addresses this in his letter of 2 Thessalonians, in correcting the church in Thessalonica, concerning the timing of end times.
Question for myself: Is my faith growing vigorously while undergoing a trial? Am I doing all I can and then a little more as these people Paul was ministering to in the church in Thessalonica had done? How is the tone of my voice? Does it escalate in volume, or does it go softly and quietly? Think of how Jesus responded to his critics in Matthew 5:44, “But I say to you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Then in verse 46, He said, “For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even tax collectors do the same?” Then in Luke 6:27-28, “But I say to you who hear, “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” I must admit that is not my natural reaction, but that was how Jesus responded to his persecutors. In both of those verses, Jesus said, “But I say to you.”
The people in the church of Thessalonica had strong fellowship together. They had made great strides in their spiritual development in remaining steadfast in their faith, and their love for one another was growing stronger. We find fellowship and like-mindedness in desiring to grow in our relationship with the Lord within our local church body of believers. It is still needed for us today to belong to a local church, a body of believers that are shepherded and taught the Word of God. We need each other to help us to fulfill our calling in life. No church is perfect. But we need fellow Christians cheering us on when we feel discouraged, weak in our faith, and need to feel their love regularly. We all have times when we want to give excuses, and we say, “Yes, but look at what they did to me?” Then we need a Christian sister or brother reminding us, “No, but Jesus says to you . . . “As Hebrews 10:24-25 states, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”
Sit still and be quiet for a few minutes. What words do you hear Jesus saying to you for today? Do it. Share it. See how inventive you can be in encouraging love, faith, and hope, as you see signs that Christ’s return is drawing near.
Listen to Mercy Me Almost Home – Lyric Video