Listen

This is why I kneel before the Father. Every ethnic group in heaven or on earth is recognized by him. I ask that he will strengthen you in your inner selves from the riches of his glory through the Spirit. I ask that Christ will live in your hearts through faith. As a result of having strong roots in love, I ask that you’ll have the power to grasp love’s width and length, height and depth, together with all believers. I ask that you’ll know the love of Christ that is beyond knowledge so that you will be filled entirely with the fullness of God.

Glory to God, who is able to do far beyond all that we could ask or imagine by his power at work within us; glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus for all generations, forever and always. Amen.

Ephesians 3:14-21

Think

“For the love of Christ” is a phrase we hear tossed around as if words have no power. Typically, it is used in the context of desperation. “For the love of Christ,” please do this or that or don’t do it. “For the love of Christ” is muttered with exasperation. We’ve reached the end of our ropes, so “for the love of Christ” we say.

How unfortunate to miss the beauty of these words. There is power rooted in the love of Christ. There is faith through this love. And there is the glory of God through this love. It’s the kind of love that changes lives, blesses with hope, and comforts the hurting. As our society continues to recognize the power of words and attempts to “cancel” a person, idea, or even group based on the use or misuse of words, may we use our words with thoughtfulness and for the sake of compassion. All for the love of Christ.

Aram Feinberg

Question to Ponder:

How might I describe the impact the love of Christ has in my life with someone who is curious about the way of faith?

Pray

God, thank you for the love of Christ that is still at work today. Help me to exercise wisdom in what I say, knowing that words have power. I struggle with my words when…

May I use my words to reflect the love of Christ.

Amen.

Go

May the God of love bless you and keep you.

May Jesus the Christ smile upon you and be gracious toward you.

And may the Spirit of truth lead you in the path of wisdom and peace.

And God’s people say: Amen.