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. 2 Thessalonians 1:3
Harvest season is pretty much over in our province, and farmers are tallying up the results of their efforts for this year. Those in the rich potato growing region of the St. John River valley are looking to do better than they did in the drought of last year. And on Keswick Ridge, apple growers are hoping for good returns on this year’s hard work in their orchards. Those two crops make up a huge portion of the province’s agricultural output each year. When potatoes and apples do well, New Brunswick prospers. Just as your Assembly prospers when the two crops mentioned in our text do well.
Paul speaks of being thankful for the faith of those Thessalonians saints, a faith that he noted was growing exceedingly. Such a growing faith would be wonderful to see. Those Christians were trusting their Lord in so many aspects of their personal and Assembly life. The Lord had promised to meet their daily needs, and they were living in the good of that. The Lord had promised to bless them in their obedience to Him, and they were rejoicing in His goodness. And their rich harvest of faith kept growing, just as ours should.
Paul found the love among the Thessalonian Christians to also be growing and thriving as it should. The love he mentions is the agape, the unconditional and unlimited love that is the very character of God, and is possible only from God. It was wonderful to see the care and commitment that those Christians had for each other, just as it should be wonderful to see the care and commitment of those in your Assembly. It’s a wonderful atmosphere for the Christians and it’s a powerful testimony to the world.
So, is your faith still growing these days? And can the same be said for your love to fellow saints? Something to be thankful for. -Jim MacIntosh
Here is the link to the video of this message: https://youtu.be/7RwT_TXnFNI