Rooted in love
Paul's personal journey to Jesus was not an easy one. Intellectually, emotionally and spiritually he had to let go of some of the ideas and beliefs that he had relied on, and learn new truths about God. As he writes his letters to fledging communities who are also learning what it means to follow Jesus, we hear him explaining again some of the lessons he had to learn- and was probably still in the process of learning.
He had realised that God loved him as simply as a Father loves a child- not because he had been born into the right tribe, not because he had learned the lessons the Rabbis taught better than anyone else, not because he was good or clever or kept the rules. He writes to the Ephesians of this love- how it is the foundation of our life in Christ, how it gives us roots which anchor us in times of uncertainty, and nourish us to produce lives of fruitfulness.
He had realised that God loved him as simply as a Father loves a child- not because he had been born into the right tribe, not because he had learned the lessons the Rabbis taught better than anyone else, not because he was good or clever or kept the rules. He writes to the Ephesians of this love- how it is the foundation of our life in Christ, how it gives us roots which anchor us in times of uncertainty, and nourish us to produce lives of fruitfulness.
And I pray
that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power,
together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and
high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may
be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Ephesians 3: 17-19
In this last week before Christmas, may we find time to listen to God tell us how much He loves us. As we hear the Christmas story told again through carols, christingles and cards, may we be reminded of just how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ- love which led him from the glories of heaven to the straw of a stable.
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