A work of the Spirit began in a city in Asia Minor, modern day Turkey. Paul hears about the ongoing response of the people there, and writes them a letter. They have turned to, or the social group they belong to, and Christ. They have rejected ways and teachings of their fathers. They have embraced Christ, as the way to peace and acceptance by God. They have embrace God's people, and are filled with love for them.
So, Paul's heart is full for God's family in this city. He prays for a heart increase in their lives, individually, and as a body.
What these followers of Jesus are, and what Paul prays for them, are where all of God's people should be going.
God's family are people, who have chosen to follow Jesus. That initial move of faith needs to grow, and increase. Our reliance on his grace, his heart intention for our good, and his actions on our behalf, need to increase.
God has made those, who follow him, his family. Family needs to embrace one another, and serve one another, as an outflow of the heart. We need to see Jesus in the hearts of others, who follow him, and not the name on the door of their building, or the social group they belong to, and treat them as Jesus would.
Then, we need to increase in the areas Paul prays for.
We need wisdom, and insight, to grow in understanding God's nature and character. We need to see more clearly, and deeply, God's love, and mercy on one hand, and God's hatred of sin on the other. But we need to remember God's order. What is the greatest command? And why is it the greatest?
We must gain understanding of our hope. Hope, in the Biblical sense, is a positive view of the future, God's view of the future. Our hope needs to affect our lives. If it was clear, and vivid, in our minds, and hearts, we would communicate with more passion, conviction, clarity, and frequency.
We need to fully understand God's power. It created the world from nothing. It gave life to Jesus after the Cross. Then, it raised him to sit on the throne, and rule over Creation. God put him there, to benefit his family. Jesus fills all things.
What these followers of Jesus are, and what Paul prays for them, are where all of God's people should be going.
God's family are people, who have chosen to follow Jesus. That initial move of faith needs to grow, and increase. Our reliance on his grace, his heart intention for our good, and his actions on our behalf, need to increase.
God has made those, who follow him, his family. Family needs to embrace one another, and serve one another, as an outflow of the heart. We need to see Jesus in the hearts of others, who follow him, and not the name on the door of their building, or the social group they belong to, and treat them as Jesus would.
Then, we need to increase in the areas Paul prays for.
We need wisdom, and insight, to grow in understanding God's nature and character. We need to see more clearly, and deeply, God's love, and mercy on one hand, and God's hatred of sin on the other. But we need to remember God's order. What is the greatest command? And why is it the greatest?
We must gain understanding of our hope. Hope, in the Biblical sense, is a positive view of the future, God's view of the future. Our hope needs to affect our lives. If it was clear, and vivid, in our minds, and hearts, we would communicate with more passion, conviction, clarity, and frequency.
We need to fully understand God's power. It created the world from nothing. It gave life to Jesus after the Cross. Then, it raised him to sit on the throne, and rule over Creation. God put him there, to benefit his family. Jesus fills all things.
No comments:
Post a Comment