你有否成长？
帖撒罗尼迦后书一章1至5节
1保罗、西拉、提摩太，写信给帖撒罗尼迦在神我们的父与主耶稣基督里的教会：
2愿恩惠、平安从父神和主耶稣基督归与你们！
3弟兄们，我们该为你们常常感谢神，这本是合宜的，因你们的信心格外增长，并且你们众人彼此相爱的心也都充足。
4甚至我们在神的各教会里为你们夸口，都因你们在所受的一切逼迫患难中，仍旧存忍耐和信心。
5这正是神公义判断的明证，叫你们可算配得神的国，你们就是为这国受苦。
信息分享
保罗与帖撒罗尼迦的信徒阔别了一段时间，此刻写信给他们，便称赞他们说：「你们的信心愈发增长，彼此相爱的心也愈来愈强」。他在第一封书信曾为他们的信心和爱心祈祷（帖前三12-13），在这第二封信里便感谢神应允他的祈求。
用以描述他们信心增长的那个词，意味着他们的信心像一棵树那样，因透过根部吸取养份，以致不断生长。至于形容他们爱心增长的那个词，则表示灌溉之水不住地涌流。你的教会符合这幅景象吗？信心不住成长、爱心不住涌流。有些人可能信心坚固，却缺少爱心；另一些人似乎很有爱心，但信靠真理的信心却不强。我们需要在这两方面均衡成长。
帖撒罗尼迦信徒尽管经历逼迫，却无碍他们的信心和爱心成长。我们面对压力的时候，信心却不一定成长，因为我们的信心太容易受环境影响。然而，没有任何东西能使我们与神的爱隔绝。神容让试炼临到我们，为的是要坚固我们的信心。我们必须紧记这点。
你的信心有否不断成长？我们的信心必须以神的话语作为依据和导引。你有没有天天以神的话语作为灵粮，以致灵命得以成长？你是否与其他信徒彼此相爱？你有没有检视自己的爱心是否不住涌流？圣灵可以在这方面帮助你。圣灵在你心中的其中一个明显标记，就是使你有一颗爱人之心。
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.