WHEN FAITH GROWS, CHARITY ABOUNDS

2 Thess 1:1-3 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth.

On behalf of himself, Silas, and Timothy, his fellow laborers in Christ, Paul once again addresses a letter to the church of Christ in Thessalonica, containing God's holy word, which was given, by inspiration, to him by the Holy Spirit of God. Considering each letter, it can be noted that, both Silas and Timothy were with Paul when each letter was written. In each instance, there were concerns about the persecutions, trials, and tribulations they faced from unbelieving Jews and Gentiles. Also, at the time of each writing, the Thessalonian Christians had deep anxieties that stemmed from their misunderstanding about the second coming of Jesus. Because of these similarities, it is believed that Paul's second letter was probably written only a few months after the first. No doubt the second letter was necessary because conditions existed that warranted further instructions. Because of this, God, through Paul, His chosen messenger, clarified all misunderstandings by giving additional revelations to His children at this particular church. In doing so, all members of the church of Christ, of all ages, having similar doubts and fears, are spiritually benefited.

As he did in his first letter, Paul is thankful to God, that they accepted Jesus as their Savior, and, through their obedience, were baptized for the remission of their sins, and were added to the church ...in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Although they were a relatively young, inexperienced congregation of Christians, Paul commends them for their growing faith and their love for one another. When faith grows, charity abounds, andevery church of Christ will be spiritually prosperous, firmly established, and zealous in carrying out the will of God. This will be true wherever a particular church of Christ may be located, and in whatever social conditions that may surround it. The lesson text tells us that, for a congregation of God's people to be pleasing in His sight, faith must grow and charity must abound within its membership.

Sitting at the feet of Jesus and listening to His teaching, His apostles realized the necessity of great faith. On one occasion they specifically asked of Jesus, Lord, increase our faith (Luke 17:5). The writer of the letter to the Hebrew Christians, gave us this succinct, clear meaning of faith: Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Heb. 11:1). It is by true, unwavering faith, that we believe in God (John 14:1). By faith we also believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name (John 20:31). Only by faith will we believe the gospel (Mark 1:15) message of salvation that Jesus Christ, Himself, taught, as well as the inspired word of God, as taught by Jesus' chosen apostles, who were inspired by His Holy Spirit. By faith, and only by faith, are we able to be fully persuaded that, what He had promised, He was able also to perform (Rom. 4:21). Many other scriptures could be referenced to show the importance of godly faith, but this we know for sure, faith must grow in the hearts and minds of every Christian, in order to enjoy the hope of eternal life in heaven.

And just as faith is necessary to salvation, so is charity, or love for others. Not only must we have true love toward others, but also we must be filled with abounding love for them. Members of the church of Christ in Thessalonica were commended for the brotherly love, that dwelt in their hearts, and was demonstrated in their lives. But as touching brotherly love, ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another (1 Thess. 4:9). Peter, also taught the necessity of brotherly love. He wrote that all were to love one another with a pure heart fervently (1 Pet. 1:22). More importantly, Jesus tells us, even commands us, to love one another. A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another (John 13:34). Jesus stated this commandment of God in another way when told all His followers to love thy neighbor as thyself, that is, to love all of our fellow human beings. Only one other commandment has more importance to every Christian, and that is to love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind (Matt. 22:37-39). Indeed, when faith grows and charity abounds,God is pleased with His children!