Daily Bread

2 Thessalonians 1:3 - "We owe it to give thanks to God always for you brethren as it is right because your faith increases beyond measure and the love of each one of you abounds toward one another."

In 1 Thessalonians 3:10 Paul reveals his desire to come to the Thessalonians to perfect that which was lacking in their faith which, afterward, resulted in their faith having increased beyond measure. He also prayed that God would make them to increase and abound in love one toward another which prayer was certainly answered (1 Thessalonians 3:12). This is the only time that this Greek word, "huperauxano" is used in the Bible. It is a compound word from "huper" which means "beyond or more than, exceedingly" and "auxano" which means "grow or increase." Faith is a gift that comes from God to which He supplies everyone with a measure (Romans 12:3). Faith is not only likened unto a mustard seed, but is also likened unto something that grows and may be increased (2 Thessalonians 1:3; 2 Corinthians 10:15). We know that Jesus referred to situations with the disciples where they had no faith (Mark 4:40; Luke 8:25). There were also those who had great faith (Matthew 15:28; Luke 7:9)). Faith may be weak in one who believes and it may also be strong (Acts 6:8; Romans 14:1). From the ministry that Paul was able to supply to the Thessalonians, he was able to take them from a place of lack to abundance in the realm of faith. God has invited all men into the realm of His faith and even commands that we "have God's faith" (Mark 11:22; Acts 6:5).

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
Abiding Place: www.abidingplace.org