The church at Thessalonica must have been quite the church!

They had . . .

• Faith that was really growing.
• Lots of love for each other.

No wonder Paul was continually thankful for them.

“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).

Though this was given as a statement about a congregation, it had to be true of the individuals making up that congregation.

Is anybody thankful for me that way for those reasons?

No.

But that’s not their fault.

If I had the heart of a panting hart, that would change.