It is kind of exciting to watch our children go through periods of growth. Parents can usually detect it. When growing, childrenβs appetites can easily double or triple. Without being told, they often take much more time for rest or sleep. Physically, youβll soon notice your childβs limbs have grown longer (making it obvious itβs time to buy them new clothesβagain), and their whole appearance begins to change. What is even more thrilling is when you witness a real growth in their maturity too.
When the Apostle Paul wrote to believers in Thessalonica, he could praise them by saying, βyour faith groweth exceedinglyβ (II Thes. 1:3). Now, how did he know they were growing spiritually? It was easy, because three things were evident in them. First, he told them their βcharity [or love] of every one of you all toward each other aboundethβ (II Thes. 1:3). No growth in this area equals little or no growth at all. Second and third, they exhibited βpatience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulationsβ (II Thes. 1:4). It takes spiritual life and growth to react positively toward negative circumstances. But these believers were growing enough spiritually that they endured wrongs, not for doing wrong, but for the cause of Christ, and they did so without losing their cool or faith in Godβs care.
The spiritual growth of these believers should come as no surprise. They had βreceived the Word of Godβ¦not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the Word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believeβ (I Thes. 2:13). It seems they had a real appetite for the Scriptures, regularly took time for it, and allowed the truths they were learning to transform the way they lived.
This passage should cause each of us to ask ourselves, βAm I growing spiritually? I ought to be and need to be growing in Christ. Iβll know for sure if Iβm growing in the Lord by the presence of these three qualities exhibited in the saints at Thessalonica. Am I growing spiritually?β source
