Increasing Love and Steadfastness

II Thess. 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 was intensely thankful for these believers who were visibly growing in their faith. Their abundant faith was seen in an increasing love for one another and a steadfastness in persecutions and afflictions. Their suffering did not separate or isolate them, but it drew them closer as they supported one another.  Love and endurance characterized their lives as it should the lives of all believers. What an example, so much so, that Paul was able to edify other believers in their walks by telling their story. It reminds me of when Paul was imprisoned, and he said that his imprisonment had resulted in other believers becoming bolder in their faith and in their witness. The endurance of the Thessalonians would minister to the hearts of others in a similar way. What a vital connection all believers share!

 

Their endurance in persecutions was evidence of the judgment of God. Obviously, God considered them worthy of His kingdom because He gave them the necessary grace to endure the persecutions. The more they suffered, the greater relief that He would give them. God's justice would balance the scales! In justice, He would bring affliction on the persecutors themselves.  When would believers see this? Would it necessarily be in their lifetimes? No, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. There is the rub! Most often we would want to see the justice applied now. But God desires our growth in faith and trust. He wants us to grow through our suffering in faith, love, trust, and dependence. He wants us to accept all as His sovereign will for us and rejoice in it. It is in the accepting and surrendering that we find the greatest grace and joy.

 

Father,

Grow my heart in faith, love, and trust. Help me immediately turn to You for all the grace that I need to endure and grow. Thank You for Your grace.

Through and In Him,

Amen