v1. Paul called himself and Timothy 'bondservants'. meaning individuals that demonstrate the same servant like attitude of Christ. my pastor told me that you cannot lead if you cannot serve... many times we want to be leaders without being willing to be servants... we might feel we are above those we lead... but obviously Jesus did not see this as the case as He was a servant first...
v3. He thanks God every time he remembers or is brought to his mind this church... wouldn't it be wonderful if we prayed and thanked God for those we love every time we think of them? Can you imagine the changes in the world behind this much thankfulness for the people in our lives... (it might help our churches out too...)
v5. fellowship in the gospel is considered intimacy with Christ... when was the last time we were really intimate with God? really spent QUALITY alone time with Him... hopefully it was recent...
v6. he is confident that the work the Christ started in them, He will not stop working on them, until He comes back for them... what a blessing that is... that God does not give up on us every single day as we continue to sin in some manner... whether it be pride or anger or gossip or lying... whatever your particular sin might be... and we faithfully try to do better, but cannot without God's help...
v8. he longs for the with the affection of Jesus... this is true christian love... I pray I can come to the place where I show true agape love to all at all times... regardless of the circumstance... he says they are in the center of his deepest feelings... usually the only one in the center of our deepest feelings is ourselves... not fellow christians...
v9. he is saying that he prays their love may abound in knowledge and discernment so that they can have an intimate understand of someone and be able to show them love in spite of their actions maybe... able to discern spiritual truth of someone...
can we imagine the change in the world if the people of God would treat one another like this... can we see how people would then be drawn to the church... isn't this the calling on each one of our lives? Father change me... that I can be a person to show love to all people... not just love of man, but love of God... love that does not fade, is not tarnished... change me that I am able to love my fellow man in the manner that you are loving me... so I can see them through the blood that Christ shed for them.. same as He shed it for me... they are no different than I am... we are all sinners... I am just saved by grace... maybe if I can change.. others will desire to know the God that I love... in the name of Jesus Christ... my Lord and Savior I ask these things... amen.
Let there be love on earth and let it begin with me....
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