Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God. (1 Thessalonians 4:1)

Never Satisfied

There is never a time when a child is not growing. Growth is a sign of a healthy child as the body is designed to change over time, becoming more stable and mature for life’s challenges. Without the process of growth, the child would die or be deficient in many ways. It is vital to experience change to grow taller, learn to walk and talk, increase knowledge, and strengthen the immune system against disease. What is necessary for the physical body is of paramount importance for the spiritual man. The nature of humanity is made up of the mortal body and the eternal spirit. In time, the mortal body will decay and die. The eternal spirit, which is the true nature of man, will never cease to exist. Growth of the eternal spirit is a continual journey or abounding more and more in the process of spiritual growth.

Jesus told Nicodemus that to enter the kingdom of God, one must be born again. The illusion of birth is the beginning point of the Christian journey. Peter would encourage his readers to desire the sincere milk of the word to grow thereby. The Hebrew writer chastised the Jewish Christians for not maturing to a spiritual level of understanding and remaining as needing milk instead of solid food. There are many examples of the need to grow in Christ, mature in the faith, and solidify trust in the Lord given throughout scripture. Paul’s admonition to the church at Thessalonica was to exhort them to not only grow but to abound more and more. He wanted to see more growth in their lives. They should not be satisfied with where they were spiritually. He urged them and exhorted them to excel more and more in all things.

One of the amazing things about the word of God is how one can read, study, examine and unlock so many mysteries contained on its pages and, at the end of the day, realize that only the surface has been opened. Men who have studied scriptures all their lives will be amazed at a new teaching or learning as if it were on the page for the first time. As well versed as some can be of the Bible, no man possesses all the knowledge of truth. A discovery awaits each time the book is opened. This should make every Christian realize the potential for growth and the need never to be satisfied with where they are in their relationship with God. Abounding more and more expresses the deep desire that at no time in life will there be a time to be satisfied. Each new day is a new horizon to understand a little more about the divine grace of the Lord.

Paul outlines an essential lesson for the Christians at Thessalonica to abound more and more so they can face the temptations and trials of life. The will of God is for His people to be sanctified or set apart from the world. A Christian should not engage in fornication or uncleanness and to walk properly toward those who are not Christians. This can only be done by a diligent effort never to be satisfied with where the heart is on the spectrum of God’s knowledge. Abounding more and more is a cure for what ails the human spirit – sin. If a person is too busy growing in Christ, they will not have time to wallow in sin. Abounding more and more is never to be satisfied. Do not stop, slow down or give up. The more you grow, the healthier you become. Holiness comes from excelling in Christ. Never be satisfied.