II Thessalonians 1:1-3

"Paul and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: 2. Grace unto 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 meet (appropriate) because that your faith (not their works so much as their faith) growth exceedingly, and the charity (love) of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;"

Now you see this is the first mark of a salvation experience. People who were unable to love or suddenly able to love. I'll never forget the testimony of one old fellow that had come out of a rather rough non-spiritual background. He said, "You know Les, since I've been saved, people that I could have almost shot between the eyes, I no longer feel that way about them. Oh, they're not the kind of people that I could go up to and hug, but now instead of hating them, I love them and feel so sorry for them." And isn't that about it? We are probably not prone to just love these kinds of people, as probably the Lord could love them, because we're human, but at least we have changed our attitude so that now we do feel so sorry that they are still out in such abject spiritual darkness. So Paul says, "we realize the love you're showing toward each other." Verse 4.


II Thessalonians 1:4

"So that we ourselves glory in you (Paul was thrilled to hear back from these little Gentile congregations and how they were standing firm in the faith) in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:"