"We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;" — 2 Thess. 1:3-4
The first virtue here commended by the Spirit of God through the inspired apostle is that of a flourishing faith. We have observed that faith is initiated and nourished up by the Word of God. We might add that it requires a proper response to the Word in order for faith to grow, even as James remarks, "… Faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone [Jas. 2:17]." Faith and love are correlatives, and that faith is spurious which does not generate love, for love is the first work of faith, "For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love [Gal. 5:6]."
A proper faith not only initiates conversion, but in that very process it introduces the Holy Spirit into the life of the believer. It is His presence that constitutes the life of God within us, and that is eternal life; and it is His presence that stimulates love in our hearts: "… The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us [Rom. 5:5]."
Now, "God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us [Rom. 5:8]." It is that love through which believers are to love the lost, unlovely world. And that is the fountain from which our love should flow toward one another. It was evident in the Thessalonian fellowship, and drew the attention of the apostle: "The charity [love] of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth."
It ought to be the case that such a commendation could be bestowed on every believer, and in every church. One cannot wisely assume that every member of the congregation at Thessalonica was lovable. In every congregation that are those who, in the flesh, are hard to love, and in every one of us there are qualities that make us something less than lovable. If we are going to have an abounding love for each other, that love must come from a Higher source than ourselves, and be capable of rising above and surviving the challenge of a variety of human qualities and characteristics that are not altogether attractive. It is God's kind of love in this kind of world. It comes from Him through us as we walk in the Spirit.
No subject gives more fragrance to the pages of scripture than the emphasis on the love of God; and none reveals more fully the beauty of the church than that kind of love manifested between members of the whole congregation of the redeemed. If our love toward one another is to abound, it will be by focusing on Him and relying on His grace, not by focusing on others and their inevitable faults.
As we remember at this Christmas season, in a special way, that "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life," it might be well to ask the question, "Could it be affirmed of my church, 'The love of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth?'" And if not, can this self-initiating, unconditional love be found in me?
The Savior said, "For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them… But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for He is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil [Luke 6:32, 35]." If that is how the Eternal God would have us relate to our enemies, what must He desire for our relationship with fellow believers?
The world is in desperate need of seeing the love of God made visible and convincing. Where it is wanting, faith is suspect!
With HIS glory in view,
"Pastor" Frasier
The first virtue here commended by the Spirit of God through the inspired apostle is that of a flourishing faith. We have observed that faith is initiated and nourished up by the Word of God. We might add that it requires a proper response to the Word in order for faith to grow, even as James remarks, "… Faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone [Jas. 2:17]." Faith and love are correlatives, and that faith is spurious which does not generate love, for love is the first work of faith, "For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love [Gal. 5:6]."
A proper faith not only initiates conversion, but in that very process it introduces the Holy Spirit into the life of the believer. It is His presence that constitutes the life of God within us, and that is eternal life; and it is His presence that stimulates love in our hearts: "… The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us [Rom. 5:5]."
Now, "God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us [Rom. 5:8]." It is that love through which believers are to love the lost, unlovely world. And that is the fountain from which our love should flow toward one another. It was evident in the Thessalonian fellowship, and drew the attention of the apostle: "The charity [love] of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth."
It ought to be the case that such a commendation could be bestowed on every believer, and in every church. One cannot wisely assume that every member of the congregation at Thessalonica was lovable. In every congregation that are those who, in the flesh, are hard to love, and in every one of us there are qualities that make us something less than lovable. If we are going to have an abounding love for each other, that love must come from a Higher source than ourselves, and be capable of rising above and surviving the challenge of a variety of human qualities and characteristics that are not altogether attractive. It is God's kind of love in this kind of world. It comes from Him through us as we walk in the Spirit.
No subject gives more fragrance to the pages of scripture than the emphasis on the love of God; and none reveals more fully the beauty of the church than that kind of love manifested between members of the whole congregation of the redeemed. If our love toward one another is to abound, it will be by focusing on Him and relying on His grace, not by focusing on others and their inevitable faults.
As we remember at this Christmas season, in a special way, that "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life," it might be well to ask the question, "Could it be affirmed of my church, 'The love of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth?'" And if not, can this self-initiating, unconditional love be found in me?
The Savior said, "For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them… But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for He is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil [Luke 6:32, 35]." If that is how the Eternal God would have us relate to our enemies, what must He desire for our relationship with fellow believers?
The world is in desperate need of seeing the love of God made visible and convincing. Where it is wanting, faith is suspect!
With HIS glory in view,
"Pastor" Frasier
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