God's judgment
We must always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of everyone of you for one another is increasing. Therefore we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith during all your persecutions and the afflictions that you are enduring.
This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, and is intended to make you worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering. For it is indeed just of God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to give relief to the afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. These will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, separated from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, when he comes to be glorified by his saints and to be marveled at on that day among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed. To this end we always pray for you, asking that our God will make you worthy of his call and will fulfill by his power every good resolve and work of faith, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Reflection
Faith grows and love increases. Even as both grow we may endure suffering and persecution. But know that the suffering and persecution are not because of the faith or the love. But even in the suffering and persecution, faith grows and love increases.
This growth and increase bring about an endurance and a resolve that the love first shown to us through Jesus Christ goes above and beyond this world and above and beyond ourselves. A love that draws us in to God and permits God to take place within us, resulting in growth in faith and love increasing.
So as faith grows and love increases in you and me, may we boldly proclaim the source of love and life in Jesus Christ our Savior.
Prayer
Lord, as your love for me gives life, may my love for neighbor, show you. --- Amen
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