Key Verses: 2 Thessalonians 1:3-4 

“We are bound to thank God always from you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other, 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,” 

In our last devotional, we saw the first reason why Paul was thankful for the church at Thessaonlika. They were a church that was growing spiritually. We are also learned that this is the first sign of a healthy church. This morning we are going to look at the second reason for Paul’s thankfulness as well as the second sign of a healthy church. 

According to V.3 the second sign of a healthy church is that the individuals love for one another abounds towards each other. This church was a church that was a full of love. It was a church where they all looked out for one another. When someone was sick, they were checking on them, praying for them, and sending them food. When there was a disagreement in the church, they sought a way to lovingly come back together and work through the problem. They truly loved one another. However, Paul uses a very interesting word to describe how much they loved each other. Their love wasn’t a stale love that was just there. They found ways to lavish their love on each other. This is seen in Paul’s use of the word translated as ‘abounds.’ One should picture a glass of water under a waterfall. It wouldn’t take long for that cup to get full and begin to overflow. Their love for one another was so real and so vibrant that it was constantly spilling over into everyone’s life. Friends we need to express our love for our brothers and sisters in Christ in the same manner. It should be overflowing into the life of others on a regular basis. I want to challenge you to look for opportunities to show and express your love for Christian brother or sister this week!