"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." 2 Thessalonians 1:3
Before we can talk about the faith that is growing, we have to first find out what that faith is. I will not be defining faith in the traditional way of faith being the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen, but rather I will want to take my definition from the basis of faith. So, what is the basis of faith? It is what Christ did on the cross, without which, there will be no faith to grow in. Therefore, in considering the faith that grows, we cannot but speak of the cross. As the believer increases in his knowledge of what the cross means, and walks in that knowledge, his faith will grow in the same proportion.
Besides growing in the knowledge of what the cross means, the believer who seeks to grow in faith will also need to know what coming to the cross means, and the responsibility that it imputes to him. One of such responsibilities is to love the brethren. Jesus left His followers with one commandment, it is that they should love one another in the same way as He loved them. Love for the brethren was one of the marks of the Thessalonian church. In fact, we are told that their love towards each other was abounding. If growing in faith is our desire, then, loving the brethren must be the emblem of our walk.
Toni
