Five Times in the opening Ten Verses of I Thessalonians 3 the Apostle Paul repeats the same phrase... "your faith". And the focus of this passage is obviously not on their Profession of Faith, but rather it is dealing with their Progression of Faith.
Paul is highly concerned about the continuence of their faith even in the midst of affliction. This was a top priority with the Apostle Paul - that their faith flourished - that they continued to develop their faith as the disciples of Christ.
This fact teaches us a very important lesson: Paul did not view faith as, a point in time - once you have it - all is well, type of virtue He didn’t speak of Faith merely in the Past Tense. As if True Saving Faith was Static or Stationary. No, Paul viewed Saving Faith as a Living, Growing, Spiritual Principle of the Soul; That is implanted in the soul by God in Regeneration and then Grows in Sanctification and continues to Grow until it is replaced by Sight in Glorification.
That is the Activity of Faith. That is the first element that we looked at this week in our study in the Nature of Faith.
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