“For this cause I also, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which is among you, and the love which ye show toward all the saints, cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;” Ephesians 1:15-16 (ASV)
At some time in their lives most children feel unwanted and that they don’t belong in their family. I don’t remember ever feeling like I belonged. There weren’t hugs or kisses on the cheek or “I’m proud of you” comments. I can often remember thinking that we kids were a chore to be dealt with, nothing more. After my father’s death my mom remarried, and I had hoped it would change. There were happier times in the family, when we spent time playing games and sharing stories – but I can only remember one time in my whole childhood that I received a hug and a kiss on the cheek from my mother.
When I gave my life to follow Jesus, He brought me something that I never expected – a new family. I received hugs and encouragement and a feeling of belonging every time I stepped inside a church door. It wasn’t an immediate transformation, but after a while I found that I was able to open up and share that same unconditional, “sister/mother” love with others. A love without strings or expectations. A love that came from being a member in the body of Christ.
Interestingly, it didn’t matter which church I entered, the acceptance was the same. There was a strong feeling of family, an understanding that we all have our pains and wounds that we are working through, and a commitment of working together to try to help each other get to the place where we could heal and grow in the call that God had placed upon our lives. There was a desired commitment to pray for others, known and unknown, to usher the healing balm from the Father’s hand into the lives others. A delicious gift, freely given and humbly received, on a daily basis. Through those times of prayer, mountains moved, faith grew, bodies were healed, love was shared, true compassion for others was felt, salvation went forward and people were set free – far more than anyone else – I was set free.
In Paul’s words in the scripture above, he recognizes the special circumstances and compassions that God put into the hearts of the believers (saints) that drew them toward each other in a common goal of sharing the message of the gospel and encouraging each other in love and prayer. Through their faith they were able to bond together for a common goal of sharing a very unpopular and dangerous message and yet remained compassionate toward other’s frailties; holding each other tightly in prayer. For the gift of that bond, that relationship, that family of Christ, Paul found strength and honored them all in thanksgiving and prayer.
I see what Paul is speaking of in this text every day. I see it in today’s church – in the services, the Bible studies, the youth groups, men’s groups, and women’s groups. There is a drawing together of the body of Christ that cannot be explained by any other term than “family.” A family of imperfect, but striving and compassionate people, willing to take the time to encourage and pray for their “brothers” and “sisters”, to help them reach a newer and stronger level of faith.
Is it faith that brings us compassion, or is it compassion, birthed inside by a loving God, that gives us the foundation that faith stands firmly upon? Is it faith that gives us confidence in prayer, or prayer that builds our strength in faith? Is it the love of the saints that makes us want to pray and encourage others, lifting them up before the throne-room of God, or is it the time spent in the throne-room with God, in diligent and dedicated prayer, that brings us a love for people we may never meet; that breaks our heart for a people that we can only see in the Spirit, and gives us confidence for a true physical, emotional and spiritual healing for those who stand among us? I don’t know, but I stand before my God with a heart filled with gratefulness for the gift of prayer and a heart filled with compassion for all mankind.
** A Journey Though Ephesians – Chapter 1, Part 9
Written by Linda J. Humes
9-14-14
Linda J. Humes 