Ephesians 1:15-19 Thanksgiving and Prayer

As I considered the passage written so eloquently and passionately by Paul, I was challenged with the thought, "Would Paul be able to write to me in the same way?" You and I often find excuse for failing to excel in the very areas which brought praise from Paul's lips and for which the Lord caused this to be written. The letter to the Ephesians is really a letter to the whole Christian church. Most scholars agree that copies of this same epistle seem to have been sent to many congregations, a kind of form letter. Clearly the text above was in response to the way the church at large has evidenced the Holy Spirit's work in their lives.

Faith and Love for the Saints:
Faith is a matter of trust - trusting the Father and His work in Jesus to save us and in the Holy Spirit to transform us and use us effectively in the service of the Master. We often take this issue of faith casually. "Yes, I have faith in God" we say and leave the issue there. But what does it mean to have faith, to trust God? Is it not taking Him at His word and following His plan rather than our own? Faith means walking, not by sight - by the natural things of this life, but by the revelation of the Holy Spirit. Faith means that God's way is right even when everything seems to point the other direction. Faith stands in the face of the masses who shout that we are wrong and calmly stands with Jesus and His truth. Faith willingly "dies to self" and "lives to God".

Love for the Saints is also very much in short supply. We find more reason to separate than to love one another. There are doctrinal distinctives and errors in those who are Christians but those who have been born again by God, though misguided, are yet our family. How dare we reject those whom the Father has made His own? Let me say it again; How dare we reject those whom the Father has made His own?

There is a great hunger in our society for spiritual things. One of the key things seekers are looking for is genuineness. The church that doesn't love, as Christ has commanded, will be judged to be phony and will not be given hearing for the Gospel by most of them. Those who sincerely trust Jesus and Love the Saints will have opportunity to speak the Gospel as they live it in their own lives.

"Lord Jesus, grant that my life demonstrate a genuine faith in You. By Your Holy Spirit, cause me to love and trust Your word and way. Reveal Your truth that I might be set free to love those whom you love, especially the household of faith. Strip away all vestige of animosity, selfishness and jealousy. Prevent me from holding Your children at a distance on the pretense of "pure doctrine". May it be that Faith and Love for the Saints be manifested in me and throughout your Church to Your glory and the welfare of Your kingdom. Amen."

Bob Goldsby

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City Harvest Church Vancouver, WA