Many times are affections are focused only on ourselves, not that we don’t give attention to or neglect ourselves as Paul counseled Timothy … “Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers” - (1 Timothy 4:16), but if we're honest, there are many times that we don’t want to be around other believers. We would rather be selfish and stay home and watch television or in the name of "health first" go to the gym or whatever latest extreme exercise fads out there. We’d rather have “me time” than fellowship with other brothers and sisters in “the fellowship”.
Ephesians 3:19 says … “and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God”. This fullness is referring to God in all his perfection, including his presence, life, and power in the life of the believer and the church. We are to be filled up continuously with his fullness.
One of the ways that we experience this fullness of God is to know the love of Christ … “and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge” (vs. 19). Paul’s prayer for the church at Ephesus is they would be “rooted and established in love” (vs. 17) and that with all the saints (brothers and sisters in the fellowship) they would comprehend the depths of Christ’s love … (vs. 18).
In order for you to experience the fullness of God and the depths of Christ love is connected to the fellowship with the brothers and sisters … “may have strength to comprehend with all the saints” (vs. 18). It is a work of Christ dwelling in the heart … “so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith” (vs. 17). As Christ is taking up residence or better yet, making your heart is home. As he lives in your heart things will change and your desires will change. “Me time” will now be “His Time” and “together time” with the brothers and sister in the fellowship. Rather than just having “me time” your affections and desires will now be for “the fullness of God” “together with all the saints (brothers and sisters in the fellowship)”.
We live in a “me first” culture and many times that thinking becomes our thinking and trickles into the fellowship …. “But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self …” (2 Timothy 3:1).
Pray, that changes. Pray for a love that increases for the brothers and sisters. Pray for God to give you love of Christ for the brothers and sisters in the fellowship … and you can be absolutely and completely certain the Lord will answer that prayer!
“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” - Ephesians 3:20-21
Him First not Me First!
Ephesians 3:19 says … “and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God”. This fullness is referring to God in all his perfection, including his presence, life, and power in the life of the believer and the church. We are to be filled up continuously with his fullness.
One of the ways that we experience this fullness of God is to know the love of Christ … “and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge” (vs. 19). Paul’s prayer for the church at Ephesus is they would be “rooted and established in love” (vs. 17) and that with all the saints (brothers and sisters in the fellowship) they would comprehend the depths of Christ’s love … (vs. 18).
In order for you to experience the fullness of God and the depths of Christ love is connected to the fellowship with the brothers and sisters … “may have strength to comprehend with all the saints” (vs. 18). It is a work of Christ dwelling in the heart … “so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith” (vs. 17). As Christ is taking up residence or better yet, making your heart is home. As he lives in your heart things will change and your desires will change. “Me time” will now be “His Time” and “together time” with the brothers and sister in the fellowship. Rather than just having “me time” your affections and desires will now be for “the fullness of God” “together with all the saints (brothers and sisters in the fellowship)”.
We live in a “me first” culture and many times that thinking becomes our thinking and trickles into the fellowship …. “But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self …” (2 Timothy 3:1).
Pray, that changes. Pray for a love that increases for the brothers and sisters. Pray for God to give you love of Christ for the brothers and sisters in the fellowship … and you can be absolutely and completely certain the Lord will answer that prayer!
“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” - Ephesians 3:20-21
Him First not Me First!
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