你有否成長？
帖撒羅尼迦後書一章1至5節
1保羅、西拉、提摩太，寫信給帖撒羅尼迦在神我們的父與主耶穌基督裡的教會：
2願恩惠、平安從父神和主耶穌基督歸與你們！
3弟兄們，我們該為你們常常感謝神，這本是合宜的，因你們的信心格外增長，並且你們眾人彼此相愛的心也都充足。
4甚至我們在神的各教會裡為你們誇口，都因你們在所受的一切逼迫患難中，仍舊存忍耐和信心。
5這正是神公義判斷的明證，叫你們可算配得神的國，你們就是為這國受苦。
信息分享
保羅與帖撒羅尼迦的信徒闊別了一段時間，此刻寫信給他們，便稱讚他們說：「你們的信心愈發增長，彼此相愛的心也愈來愈強」。他在第一封書信曾為他們的信心和愛心祈禱（帖前三12-13），在這第二封信裡便感謝神應允他的祈求。
用以描述他們信心增長的那個詞，意味著他們的信心像一棵樹那樣，因透過根部吸取養份，以致不斷生長。至於形容他們愛心增長的那個詞，則表示灌溉之水不住地湧流。你的教會符合這幅景象嗎？信心不住成長、愛心不住湧流。有些人可能信心堅固，卻缺少愛心；另一些人似乎很有愛心，但信靠真理的信心卻不強。我們需要在這兩方面均衡成長。
帖撒羅尼迦信徒儘管經歷逼迫，卻無礙他們的信心和愛心成長。我們面對壓力的時候，信心卻不一定成長，因為我們的信心太容易受環境影響。然而，沒有任何東西能使我們與神的愛隔絕。神容讓試煉臨到我們，為的是要堅固我們的信心。我們必須緊記這點。
你的信心有否不斷成長？我們的信心必須以神的話語作為依據和導引。你有沒有天天以神的話語作為靈糧，以致靈命得以成長？你是否與其他信徒彼此相愛？你有沒有檢視自己的愛心是否不住湧流？聖靈可以在這方面幫助你。聖靈在你心中的其中一個明顯標記，就是使你有一顆愛人之心。
HOW HAVE YOU GROWN?
2 Thessalonians 1: 1-5
1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other,
4 so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure,
5 which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer;
Message
Paul said it to the Thessalonians, “Your faith is growing more and more. Your love for each other is increasing.” In his first letter this was his prayer request (1 Thess. 3:12-13) and God had answered his prayer.
The word used for ‘the growth of their faith’ means it has grown like a tree grows, feeding through its roots. The word used for the increase of their love is a picture of the overflowing of water in irrigation. Is your church like that - growing in faith and overflowing in love? Is your church like that? Some people are strong in faith but lacking in love. Some seem to be all loving and not very strong in the truth. We need to be balanced in both of these aspects.
This wonderful growth in their lives had taken place in spite of persecution. When we are facing opposition, our faith doesn't always grow. Sometimes our faith is eclipsed by our circumstances. Nothing however can separate us from the love of God. He has allowed this testing and wants it to be the means of strengthening our faith. We need to remember this.
How is your faith? Has it been growing lately? Faith is based on and is fed by the Word of God. Have you been feeding on it enough recently? How about love for each other? Does it need some attention? The Holy Spirit can help you. Love is one of the visible signs of His presence in your life.