◄ What Does Ephesians 1:15 Mean? ►

Imagine receiving a letter from the apostle Paul. He had been chosen as God's apostle to the Gentiles and had been entrusted with the mysteries of Christ and the Church, which had been kept hidden for ages and generation.

What joy it must have been to have been a member of the Ephesian congregation, and to read: "I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love towards all the saints." What a thrill it would have been to receive such high commendation from God's chosen apostle to the Gentiles, and yet this is not only what God desires of us, but this is what He expects from each of His people.

God expects His children to trust Him and believe all that He has written in His Word: "For without faith it is impossible to please Him." And the Lord also expects that each member of His Body has a depth of love for one another that staggers the imagination. Indeed, Christ's parting word to His disciples was: "Love one another - love, as I loved You - by this shall all men know that ye are My disciples."

We are not simply directed to love our neighbour as we love ourselves, as were saints in Old Testament time, but we are to love one another with the same love that Christ loved us, when He willingly came to earth to be born into the human race so that He could give His life to pay the price for our sin. Such love passes all comprehension, and yet this is how we have been commanded to live: "LOVE as I have loved you."

When we start to consider the enormity of what God has done for us, we are filled with awe and wonder. It is a mystery that was planned in eternity past, a mystery that came to fruition when we trusted in Christ's finished work at Calvary, a mystery that caused heaven to rejoice and hell to tremble. It is the mystery of Christ and His Church which was given to us through Paul: "Christ in you the hope of glory."

When we consider the mystery that was hidden from ages and generations, but which has now been made known to us, should we not trust our faithful God in all things, and follow His command to love one another in the power of the Spirit, Who works within us all?

Heavenly Father, may I trust in Your unfailing Word, for Your Word is faithful and true, and may I love others as Christ has loved me, which I know is only possible through the power of Your Holy Spirit working in and through me, to Your praise and glory, AMEN.