Grow 

 

2 Thessalonians 1:3 “We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other..”

 

Let me talk of the church of Thessalonians, look how they grew in the Lord; they had works, faith, love for one another, patience and hope. Wonderful!

 

• Works to show their growth in Christ! They were not passive, lazy Christians who talk big without any works, these Thessalonian church members came to church on time, helped their pastor in his church activities and also were involved in the mission work.

• Faith – their lives reflected the faith they had in the Lord. They were not easily rattled when things went wrong but stood firm and steadfast in their love for God because they were disciplined in reading the Bible.

• Love for one another: Friend, when you grow in the Lord, love would be poured into your heart to love and pray for each other. We would not be fighting for petty issues and silly matters. Colossal ego clashes and selfish motives are the reason for split in the church. Crucify it and work for the benefit of the Kingdom of God rather than your ‘ego kingdom.’

• Patience and hope are essential ingredients for a peaceful life. Perseverance and patience finally leads us to hope.

 

A Christian has to grow and mature! Someone said: ”You can be in the right place in the right time with all the ingredients in the right place; yet miss it!” You cannot play with God, for He has said, “My spirit will not always strive with man.” (Genesis 6:3). We cannot hear the Gospel, sit for years in the church; yet be stunted. Are you listening? We got to grow and flourish! Jesus said: John 15:16”You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.” Observe the words of Jesus: ‘your fruit should remain!’

 

Just after preaching the above message in the church, a very aged lady around 80 years old - a hindu convert, all her family members had taken water baptism as well but never attend church – came to me and said tearfully, ”please pray that my entire family should go to church and surrender their life whole-heartedly to God, otherwise they would be thrown into the pit of hell” This is called conviction! I was happy that the message had reached her! How about you?

 

"All growth that is not toward God is growing to decay."

 

Someone said, ”God uses preaching and preachers but in the preaching the hearer must hear God and must meet God.” The Thessalonians were extremely blessed through the teachings of Apostle Paul.