Written by Paul Lane
The Word
“18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— 19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
21 But that you also may know my affairs and how I am doing, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make all things known to you; 22 whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that you may know our affairs, and that he may comfort your hearts.
23 Peace to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.
Ephesians 6:18-24 (NKJV)
Reflection
I think Charles Dickens is hitting on something when he uses Jacob Marley to visit a message to Ebenezer Scrooge. To the stone hearted miser, God sends His “ambassador in chains.” The arrival of a ghost at your bedside should cause you to wake up and pay attention, but the stony-hearted Scrooge will not hear of it. “There’s more of gravy than of grave about you,” says he. But the night for him will be like no other, and he will be changed. By the end they will say of him that no one could keep Christmas quite as well as he. And so they should say of us all.
Now turn to Paul, and his chains. So often he acts and thinks as if he is not in prison at all. He sees the work of the kingdom needing to be accomplished regardless of his circumstances. He is sending people here and there. He is writing and dictating letters like a business executive. He is hoping to see the church members and dear friends like a journey man. He even asked someone to pick-up the coat he left somewhere. And all of this is in the context of prayer.
[ In a daydream “Paul, what’s going on with those chains?” said I.
“Chains? Oh these, right. Well, you know. It just one of those things. Think nothing of it.” Replied he.]
Paul puts so little weight in the dust of our making and pushes us on to live lives in the spirit because there is something that we must overcome death. In 1 Cor 15:55 he remembers “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?”
“Are these the shadows of what will be, or the shadows of what may be?” asks Ebenezer. For us, such shadows have no purchase, if we walk in the light.
Application
There is a phrase in verse 24 that really sings if you read it in the NASB version.
“4 Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with incorruptible love.”
Paul seems to think that we can love Jesus with “incorruptible love.” What? I know that Jesus loves me with a love that is enduring, unchanging, and incorruptible, but Paul thinks I can love Jesus the same way?
Not in climbing high mountains, or saving the world with all your talents, is our love perfected. But rather, we are simply to be open, truthful, and faithful to our relationship with Jesus. We do not donate our way to a deeper love of Christ, nor do we earn it in any way. We spent time with the Lord, in honest and true and then we obey His direction. Be it glory, gravy, or grave, we must faithfully follow Him.
Prayer
Dear Lord, though I fall short in my task too often and I try to make up for it on my own, I know that You are my rock and my salvation. Lord teach me to be more open with You and more faithful to your call, so that I might love You with love incorruptible. To the praise of Your glory and grace. Amen.
City Life Starter 
Leave a Reply