“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.” – 2 Thessalonians 1:3 (ESV)
Do we not a have spiritual obligation to thank God in prayer when He accomplishes great things in the lives of faith believers? The apostle Paul believed so and especially in the case with the obedient believers in Thessalonica. This is written in the second letter Paul wrote to them and they had demonstrated growth in faith since the first letter. Their faith had continued “to grow exceedingly” that is what the original Greek word (hyperauxanei), which is used only here, tells us. Their faith had grown wonderfully, it had flourished. Our faith as Christians should continue growing throughout our lives. Such growth leads to greater trust and deeper knowledge as we grow in our knowledge of God’s will. Let us trust God more consistently and more extensively as we grow older in Christ. If we look at the next verse (2 Thessalonians 1:4) we learn that this growth of spiritual faith experienced in the church of Thessalonica was taking place in a time of persecutions and affliction – an expected occurrence faith helps us to endure. As our faith grows abundantly, so does our perseverance and that’s our promise.
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Esengo Mingi 