Kendall the Fire

The Apostle Paul writes: “I want you to know how hard I work (am struggling niv) for you, those in Laodicea, and others who have never seen me. I want them to be strengthened and joined together (united niv knit together nkjv) with love so that they may be rich in their understanding. This leads to their knowing fully God’s secret, that is, Christ himself. In him all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are safely kept.”  ~ Colossians 2:1-3 ncv 

There are a couple of truly salient points in this passage.  First, Paul is talking about the importance of getting connected… at multiple levels.  He speaks of striving for a deep connection with those he knows and loves. But, he also speaks of becoming connected with people he has never even met.  He says that he is struggling for a connection… a “coming together” with those who are a part of the family of faith, as well as with those who have yet to learn (or to embrace) “God’s secret, that is Christ.”  

Second, Paul is talking about being united on the human level—of being “knit (joined) together.”  Then, he goes on to say that seeing and experiencing this kind of spiritual community lived out can lead other people into seeking and finding a connection with Christ Himself.  In our Christian circles we commonly refer to that experience as “salvation.”  But, let’s take a closer look at the chronology of the text. It speaks of being joined together and exchanging the currency of love which leads others “to their knowing fully God’s secret, that is, Christ himself.” Seeing God’s love in action, being lived out among Christian believers, serves as a magnet drawing others to Him.  

The calling for me is to constantly be looking at our world through the loving and longing eyes of God.  “God so loved the world,” the Bible says, “that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever may believe in Him would have everlasting life.”  He longs for those outside of our spiritual communities to be drawn into a relationship with Him… but not to Him alone, with all of us who call upon the Name of the Lord.  

So, to conclude, the Lord wants us to be in close relationship and warm fellowship with each other and with HIM.  Genuine love becomes the most effective outreach tool we could ever employ. Simply put: God loves the world…   

He loves everyone in the world.  He loves our culture… not everything about it, but he loves our culture. And, my belief is that the purpose of the church is to be God’s chosen instrument in order for Him to develop an intimate and ongoing relationship with every one of His children.   

Maybe this should be a calling for us whether we are in “Laodicea,” or in Oklahoma City, like I am.