Word@Work Eph10 - Ephesians 1:15-16
Published: Thu, 10/09/08
Word@Work from BeaconLight
BELIEVING, LOVING AND PRAYING
Read Ephesians 1:15-16 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. (NIV)
Although Paul spent several years in Ephesus, he did not know everybody who would read this letter. The church had continued to grow, and the Word rapidly spread out through the trade routes of what is now Turkey and Greece. The Apostle, like every Gospel proclaimer, saw that the Gospel had done its work in calling people to put their faith in Jesus Christ; and then they found they loved other believers. But for Paul, his job was not over yet.
He had plenty of experience of people who eagerly took to the Gospel but then fell away (the parable of the sower shows different ways in which people can miss the point of the message cf Luke 8:1-15). So he knew there was more work to do - in reiterating the message (which he does in this letter) but also to thank God for them and pray for them (Samuel said that it would be a sin not to pray for God's people cf 1 Sam 12:23). It may seem strange to us his prayers are so constant, but that is the mark of personal devotion to the Lord and His family. If we are only interested in the process of the Gospel and not the people it reaches, we are merely theological technicians - and are not behaving as those who live and serve in Christ's body.
Believing, loving and praying all go together. Faith not only produces changes in social relationships but also in spiritual passion. We should find that we have spiritual longings for those who have come to Christ (cf Rom 1:11; Phil 1:8). Like people in our family (and we are really all brothers and sisters in God's family!), we desire that they shall be satisfied, provided for and make a difference. So, we need to stir ourselves to thank God for them, and to pray with the loving passion of a parent or sibling. If there are other believers in your workplace, do you regularly pray for them? If not, why not?! They need your prayers and you need theirs ... and if there is a Christian Fellowship where you work, do you support it consistently: if there is no fellowship, why not start one?
Prayer: Dear Lord. Thank you for your grace that is engulfing some of my colleagues. Help me to show Your love in my actions; and to pray for them - as believers, as those with responsibility at work, and as very human people with families and personal needs. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
Although Paul spent several years in Ephesus, he did not know everybody who would read this letter. The church had continued to grow, and the Word rapidly spread out through the trade routes of what is now Turkey and Greece. The Apostle, like every Gospel proclaimer, saw that the Gospel had done its work in calling people to put their faith in Jesus Christ; and then they found they loved other believers. But for Paul, his job was not over yet.
He had plenty of experience of people who eagerly took to the Gospel but then fell away (the parable of the sower shows different ways in which people can miss the point of the message cf Luke 8:1-15). So he knew there was more work to do - in reiterating the message (which he does in this letter) but also to thank God for them and pray for them (Samuel said that it would be a sin not to pray for God's people cf 1 Sam 12:23). It may seem strange to us his prayers are so constant, but that is the mark of personal devotion to the Lord and His family. If we are only interested in the process of the Gospel and not the people it reaches, we are merely theological technicians - and are not behaving as those who live and serve in Christ's body.
Believing, loving and praying all go together. Faith not only produces changes in social relationships but also in spiritual passion. We should find that we have spiritual longings for those who have come to Christ (cf Rom 1:11; Phil 1:8). Like people in our family (and we are really all brothers and sisters in God's family!), we desire that they shall be satisfied, provided for and make a difference. So, we need to stir ourselves to thank God for them, and to pray with the loving passion of a parent or sibling. If there are other believers in your workplace, do you regularly pray for them? If not, why not?! They need your prayers and you need theirs ... and if there is a Christian Fellowship where you work, do you support it consistently: if there is no fellowship, why not start one?
Prayer: Dear Lord. Thank you for your grace that is engulfing some of my colleagues. Help me to show Your love in my actions; and to pray for them - as believers, as those with responsibility at work, and as very human people with families and personal needs. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
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