2 Thessalonians 1:3 We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing.
During early stages of seedling we will notice a growth spurt in plants. There will be a sudden increase in height, rapid leafing and fast extension of roots. Growth spurt often triggers the plant to begin flowering and fruiting.
The metaphor is an excellent representation of “Growing Faith”. The evidence of growth spurt in plants is the verdant growth likewise and the evidence of growing faith is the godly gush of love for one another. Love must be manifested in action – the quickness to repent, to forgive and to apologize is the evidence of the fruit of love. A heart that refuses to be offended by anyone or anything will be nourished by love and will grow in faith.
The disciples prayed for an increased measure of faith when Jesus commanded them to forgive unconditionally and limitlessly. Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.” The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” (Luke 17:4-5). Without growing faith that is overflowing with love it is impossible to forgive the unforgivable and love the unlovable.
The fourth step in the ladder of faith is the “Growing Faith” that loves unconditionally, forgives limitlessly and is unoffendable.
Growing Faith:
- Action: Faith is an action word. Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth (1 John 3:18). The true expression of growing faith is “selfless love” and an “unoffendable spirit”.
- Armour: Faith and love protect us from anger, offense and bitterness. Having put on the breastplate of faith and love (1 Thessalonians 5:8). Faith without love is ineffective and love without faith is incompetent. Love shielded by faith is imperial.
- Attributes: The attributes of growing faith are the quickness to repent, forgive and apologize. It is foolish to hold offenses against anyone and expect our prayers to be heard and answered. Hence, growing faith is measured by the attribute of unoffendable love.
Growing Faith is “loving”, “forgiving” and “unoffendable”.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, help me to be quick to repent, forgive and apologize. Amen.
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