Undying Love
(NIV) Eph 6:2 With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
21 Tychicus, the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing. 22 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage you.
23 Peace to the brothers and sisters, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.
Love. Songs have been written about it, poems have extolled its pleasures, and crusades and wars have been fought, all in its name. In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul ends by asking for their prayers, first for all of the saints and then for himself. Notice how Paul was specific in his prayer request. Otherwise, his friends would have surely prayed for his deliverance.
But Paul knew his imprisonment could work to the good for those listening to his voice. His prayer that God would give him the words to say should be the prayer of all Christ followers as we reach out to those we meet. For many years my morning prayer has included the request that God send someone across my path that I can help. And I ask that God prepare their heart, and He does.
Paul’s mention of “undying love” served as encouragement to these new Christians to keep their faith. There were many distractions and outright obstacles to the faith, but it was imperative that the Ephesians, and indeed that Christ followers today, keep their love pure and focused on Jesus.
May we learn from the early churches the need to “turn our eyes upon Jesus,” and may we, too, ask God for the words to say as we share Jesus with all we meet.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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