2 Thessalonians 1:3-4, NKJV “3) We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth…4) So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure”
2 Thessalonians 1:3-4, CEV, “3) My dear friends, we always have good reason to thank God for you, because your faith in God and your love for each other keep growing all the time…4) This is why we brag about you to all of God’s churches. We tell them how patient you are and how you keep on having faith, even though you are going through a lot of trouble and suffering.”
What does it mean Biblically to flourish in your Faith? – The world equates flourishing with activity and productivity. A Biblical perspective does not mean we do more; it means we become more like Christ. We mature in Faith.
What does it mean to flourish in God? – Flourishing in God means clinging to God’s Promises for your life in the good times and the bad times. Flourishing in God doesn’t mean putting on a happy-happy-joy-joy face all the time or pretending everything is fine when it is not fine.
SIMPLE STEPS TO HELP YOUR FAITH FLOURISH
Faith plays a central role in all endeavors of our Christian walk. In fact, the Righteous lives by Faith. Therefore, God Wants every one of us to have Faith and Flourish in our Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Apostle Paul expressed great joy when he wrote to the church in Thessalonica because the believers there were flourishing in Faith. He could boast in them because of their resolute and persevering Faith even amidst the afflictions of life. If apostle Paul could be so joyous of the Faith of these believers, then you can imagine the joy in the heart of our Heavenly Father when we flourish in Faith.
The word ‘flourish’ as used in this context implies ‘growing very well and increasing’. Precious one, how long have you been in the Christian Faith? How well have you grown after your conversion into the Christian faith? Are you still a ‘crawling believer’ or you have been maturing in the Faith as the days go by?
You need to grow in your attitude towards the study of God’s Word. You need to mature in prayer. You need to consistently increase in love for God and fellow men. Continually persevere in patience and trust when confronted with challenges in life. If you do all these things without wavering in your belief in God and His Promises, then you are on a sure course to flourishing in your faith.
Why does God want us to flourish? – God is Extravagant in His Love for us. He has Given us everything we need for LIFE and GODLINESS. That is why we can flourish – because He has Given us everything we need. Since we have come into relationship with God, He “…hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness…”
Desire for growth in the Knowledge of God and in your Faith in Him. The more you grow in Faith, the more you receive wonderful Blessings God Gives to only the matured ones in the Faith. Child of God, flourish in the Faith.
_Prayer
My Father, I’m grateful for today’s Word. My prayer is that You’ll Grant me the Grace to grow in my Faith in You with each passing day and even with every challenge I face,
in Jesus’ name, Amen
