With faith, we testify that establishing your belief in the Lord requires adding endurance to your faith. Accordingly, “God has allotted to each a measure of faith” (Rom. 12:3). To grow in spirit and truth, we must endure trials that assess the truth as we know it. We must constantly examine what we think we know. In this divided culture, we greet you with words from “Paul, Silas and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thess. 1:1-2). All humanity is called and/or chosen, Scripture says: “many are called, but few are chosen” (Matt. 22:14). The “called” is all people. God sent and continues to send invitations (offers of salvation) to everyone. The “chosen” are those who receive the invitation, accept it, and act upon it.
To those who have yet to act on the invitation, it remains open, grace and peace from God, who “is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Pet. 3:9). To those who receive and accept the invitation, “We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters, as is only fitting, because your faith is increasing abundantly, and the love of each and every one of you toward one another grows ever greater” (2 Thess. 1:3). We give thanks to God for His patience toward humanity.
Show appreciation for His grace and peace by glorifying Him with extraordinary worship. Increasing our faith also increases our love and our worship toward God, each other, and the world. Suffice to say, “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17). Too many people (saints and sinners) seek no increase because they are too content with the status quo or too indifferent about life to care about an increase. Yes, Scripture does say “be content with what you have” (Heb. 13:5), but it also says, “add to your faith.” That is not a contradiction; some people can walk and chew gum at the same time.
Add to your faith and grow by examining what you think you know about the Word of God, the Gospel Message of Jesus Christ, the teaching of the Holy Spirit, and yourself. Be intentional and put in some effort to study the Bible for knowledge, wisdom, and understanding. As the Bible says, in all thy getting, get understanding (Prov. 4:7). Paul rejoiced that the Thessalonians’ faith was increasing abundantly. Today, too many strive to increase wealth, fame, and power rather than grow in faith and trust in the Lord. By the same measure, too many fail to see value in using God-given gifts to serve others. Like Matthew, we ask, “What profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul” (Matt. 16:26)?
Nettie Pennington is Associate Minister of Springfield MB Church.
