“For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the
Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks
for you, remembering you in my prayers”
In this text, Paul is drawing attention to the growth of
faith within the Ephesian church. He emphasizes the importance of the treasure
of Christ in the saints, highlighting the spiritual love that is expressed
through Christ as the Holy Spirit draws them towards other people of faith. This
love, known as "agape," is not a natural love, but rather a powerful
force that united them in their shared faith in Jesus Christ. It also enables us to
extend this love to others who God leads us to express faith to, creating a
community of believers who are united in their devotion to Christ.
Paul's deep sense of gratitude to God for the knowledge he
gained from the Ephesian church is noteworthy. In the midst of his suffering,
he recognized the value of giving thanks in all things. This enabled him to
stand firm, knowing that every trial and tribulation he faced was for the
betterment of all the saints, and that his letters were being shared among various
church meetings in different places. Paul's belief that his sufferings kept him
humble, in light of the immense revelations he received from the Holy Spirit
about the purpose of Christ and the Church, is a testament to his unwavering
faith.
The Ephesian Church, established by Paul on one of his missionary journeys, was a thriving and growing community of believers. It was in the heart of Ephesus, one of the greatest seaports of the ancient world. The city was a center of travel and commerce, attracting visitors from far and wide. The church's success was not only measured in numbers but also in the depth of the love of Christ that permeated the hearts of its members. People from all over were drawn to the Ephesian church, and it was a source of great joy for Paul to see how the love of Christ was growing and thriving among the believers there.
Paul's prayers for the believers in Ephesus are focused on
the increase and demonstration of the love of Christ through the lives of the
Ephesian Church. As their spiritual father, he took on the responsibility of
nurturing their faith and guiding them in their walk with God. Paul's choice to
plant a church in Ephesus was not a coincidence but rather a strategic move in
his attempt to reclaim the nations that had been disinherited at Babel and bring them
back to God. (see Deuteronomy 32:8–9) He was known as a missionary to the
Gentiles or non-Jews to draw the disinherited people back into the fold of God.
One of the takeaways from the above verse is that there is an
attitude of thankfulness that Paul is modeling here. When we reach out to
others and release the love of Christ, there is a transaction that takes place; the net effect of that transaction is the thankfulness that we have for not only our relationship with Christ, but also how He is using us to spread His love to others. We pray with a heart of expectation for God to move in creative ways to
establish His kingdom in the lives of others.
The Ephesian Church's progress during Paul's time was remarkable, given the significant opposition they faced from local artisans who crafted metal gods depicting images of Greek and Roman deities. Against the backdrop of the worship of the goddess Artemis at the enormous temple originally built by Croesus, the king of Lydia, around 550 BCE, Ephesus' temple was also used for the worship of the Roman god Diana. But the Jewish mindset of Paul and the believers of his time helped to successfully engage with both travelers and locals, sharing the message of Jesus' sacrifice and convincing many about His impact on their lives. Over time, many people came to Christ at Ephesus, building a community of "The Way," as it was known at the time.
Finding true faith can be a difficult journey for some, but for the Ephesian Church, the decision to turn to Christ became an easy one. They recognized that the pagan gods of Rome and Greece, like Diana and Artemis, were unable to produce the kind of love that truly transforms lives. Instead, these deities existed solely to exalt themselves and wield a false sense of power. Paul had shown them the Ephesians the truth - that the God of Heaven had proven His power through His Son Jesus. By trusting in Him and allowing the Holy Spirit to work within them, the Ephesian Church discovered the true meaning of agape love and were being transformed into the image of Christ daily through sharing that love with one another.
The growth of the Ephesian Church is an inspiring testament
to the power of Christ's love. It shows us that even amidst impossible odds,
Christ can build His Church and bring salvation to all who come to Him. In our
current world, where it may seem like society has fallen far from Christ's
teachings, we must remember that our God is capable of miracles and can accomplish the impossible. He can overcome any obstacle and build
His Church, even when our best efforts fail. Let us have hope and trust in His
power to save all who are destined to be drawn to Him.
Stephen Barnett
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