“We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing. Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.” (2 Thessalonians 1:3-4)

Paul opens his second letter to the church in Thessalonica with gratitude for the local church. Paul’s letters are addressed to either local churches or to those in leadership in those churches. Through them all Paul is grateful for God’s work through the local churches. In his gratitude, he helps us see what should be happening in the local church.

The local church is a place for our faith to grow. Paul says the reason God has placed leadership in the church is that our faith may grow and mature. “So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:11-13) He saw this in the church in Thessalonica, “because your faith is growing more and more.” (2 Thessalonians 1:3b)

Jesus had given to the church a new commandment. “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35) Love is the evidence of our discipleship as followers of Jesus Christ. The writer of Hebrews wrote, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:24-25) Paul also saw this in the church in Thessalonica, “the love all of you have for one another is increasing.” (2 Thessalonians 1:3c)

Jesus had reminded the Disciples that as long as they were in the world there would be trials and difficulties. “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33b) Paul saw the church facing their trials and not only encouraged them, but was also bragging about the way they faced the trials. “Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.” (2 Thessalonians 1:4) As followers of Jesus Christ, we are not promised that everything here on earth will go well, but that we will face difficulties. He tells us to pick up our cross and follow Him. “Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me.” (Matthew 10:38) Paul sees the church actively persevering and enduring the trials and persecutions, through their faith in Christ and love for Him and each other. This was what he was boasting about to fellow local churches.

Today, local churches face many trials and difficulties. Even now we are finding those who are persecuting individual Christians and various local churches. Our tasks as follows is still to grow in our faith, and increasing in our love for one another as we face the trials of this life whatever they may be. Through all of the trials and difficulties, we can demonstrate the love which Jesus has given to us and express our faith as we grow closer to Jesus and each other.

In the Love of Jesus,

Michael Block