1 I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally.2 My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. 5 For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how orderly you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.
This Chapter talks about what I will call the purpose or motive for Paul’s ministry, which was to encourage the church and unite them in love and relay the complete understanding of knowing Christ, who has all wisdom and knowledge. He wants them grounded in truth so they will not be deceived by false teachers. His motive for ministry is love for God and all people. He experienced love from Christ who dwells in him by the Holy Spirit. He prays for their encouragement of heart.
I had the privilege to meet a believer here in the U.S. whose name was Marcus from Sudan. As a businessman he came to find salvation by faith in Jesus. He got a hold of the Jesus film by Campus Crusade and felt the Lord was calling him to go to villages and show the film. Indeed, many came forward to repent of sin and trust Christ. He began discipleship groups. While doing so he would take some from that first group of believers and go to another village and repeat the process. The principles of multiplication took place. In time thousands responded to Christ by faith. I asked him about danger. He looked at me somewhat surprised and said, “God told me to go, He never said anything to me about safety. If He says go, I go. What else He chooses to do is in His hands.”
He has the Mandate, the call to share; the Message to share Christ in you; His Method was proclaiming by film, The Means is with the power of the Holy Spirit. His Motive is that people might know and be saved and become mature in Jesus Christ.
God does not call everyone into missions or to full-time ministry or into persecution. He calls us to be faithful to Him today, in our lives, words, and deeds. We are to work with honesty, integrity, and in love.
Application: Take time each day to read a bit of God’s Word. Pray asking how you might apply it and ask yourself, “Am I willing to let God use me in some great or small way today?
Live in love.
Lord, again I pray, purify my motives. Show me how to apply what I am reading in your Word. Give me a heart for You and for the salvation of others.
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