Praying for Unhindered Love unto the End

God equips and sends preachers, filled with the Holy Spirit, to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Rom 10:14–17). Proclaiming the glories of Calvary is the means by which God calls His elect, redeemed people to peace with Himself (Rom 5:1; 1 Thess 1:4). It is the powerful Word of reconciliation that is received and appropriated unto salvation (1 Thess 1:5–6). Despite diverse opposition, the Gospel of God is to be preached with boldness (1 Thess 2:2).

The work of the preacher is not in vain, as the Word of faith is implanted and grows within the sinner now saved by grace (Eph 2:8–9; Jas 1:21). It is the Holy Spirit who makes this work effectual — producing joy, faith, love, and hope. A kindred spirit is forged between the faithful preacher and the converted, who join in the sufferings of Christ (2 Cor 1:5; Col 1:24).

In this present evil age and amidst a perverse generation, those entrusted with the Gospel are hindered by the activity of Satan (1 Thess 2:18). Our task is to go where God leads us; and the task of our opponents is to disrupt us. Through afflictions and persecutions from outside the church, the children of the devil work to oppress the Gospel advance. Meanwhile, inside the church imposters introduce destructive heresies to cause believers to err away from sound doctrine.

Our God and Father, along with Jesus our Lord, have sent us the Holy Spirit, who is in our hearts and greater than the devil who is in the world causing trouble (1 Jn 4:4). This spiritual warfare rages in every place the Gospel of grace is faithfully taught by the man of God appointed, called, and sent to strengthen the faith of true believers (Eph 6:10–20; 1 Thess 3:2).

The gathered congregation of a local church is an embassy of ambassadors for Christ, who spiritually mature by God’s grace through the instrumentality of the Spirit and the Word (Jn 17:17). In Christ, the Holy Spirit causes believers to increase and abound in love toward one another and toward all people (1 Thess 3:12). Our Lord has taught us to love God and to love our neighbor as ourselves (Lk 10:27).

Loving our enemies resembles God’s love toward each saint (Mt 5:44; Lk 6:27, 35), who formerly walked in darkness and at enmity with God (Eph 2:15–16; 5:8). The Lord knows those who are His (2 Tim 2:19), but we do not know their hearts. Thus, we love people into the kingdom of God by living godly before them, and telling them the truth (Eph 4:15). This is the display of goodness and kindness, generosity and forgiveness that is so foreign to the world. The hope within the Christian becomes apparent when the motive of love for Christ is made known (1 Pet 3:15).

It is God in Christ’s church who is willing and doing His good pleasure (Gal 2:20; Phil 2:13). The sanctifying work of the Spirit is causing all things to work together for good for those who love God and who are called according to His purpose, which has been determined by the counsel of His will (Rom 8:28; Eph 1:11; 1 Pet 1:2).

It is God’s will and purpose for Christians to suffer for the sake of the elect (2 Tim 2:10). This is what happens when the saints deny themselves, take up their cross and follow Christ, who suffered and died on the cross for those who belong to Him by adoption of God the Father (Eph 1:4–5; Rom 8:15, 23; 1 Cor 3:23). Following Christ is foolishness to the world (1 Cor 2:14), but to the saints, it is our very lives. We have turned from idols in order to serve the true and living God (1 Thess 1:9).

The Word of God is established in the Christian heart with the end goal objective of every saint being presented holy and blameless before God the Father on the Day of Christ Jesus (Eph 1:5; 5:27; 1 Thess 3:13). He who began this good work in us will complete it as promised (Phil 1:6). For this reason, we boldly boast in Christ Jesus and His Spirit who accomplishes what concerns us (Ps 57:2; 138:8; 1 Cor 1:31; Gal 6:14; 1 Thess 3:12).

The second coming of Jesus Christ with all His saints (Mt 24–25; Mk 13; Lk 21; 1 Thess 3:13) and angels (Mt 24:31; 25:31; Mk 8:38; 2 Thess 1:7) will have a dual purpose. First, Jesus, our dread champion, is coming to judge the living and the dead (Jer 20:11; Acts 10:42; 2 Tim 4:1; 1 Pet 4:5; Rev 19:11–21). The Day of the Lord will be terrible for reprobate sinners resurrected from the dead and unto judgment (Jn 5:28–29). The wrath of God will be poured out with perfect justice on all those outside of Christ. Their sentence is eternal punishment in the fiery hell of torment in the lake of fire (Mt 25:41, 46; Jude 7; Rev 20:14–15).

Second, the dead in Christ will be resurrected to life (Jn 5:28–29; 1 Cor 15; 1 Thess 4:16). The life of the glorified saints, body and soul, is eternal life, forever in the presence of Christ our King (1 Tim 6:15). We will join Him in judging angels on that day only known to the Father (Mt 24:36; 1 Cor 6:3). Thus, Christians share in the blessed hope of His coming in glory, even joining the Spirit in praying, “Come, Lord Jesus, come (Rev 22:17).”

With the destruction of the first creation by fire (2 Pet 3:7), our God will create a new heavens and new earth where righteousness dwells (Is 65–66; 2 Pet 3:13; Rev 21–22). With the completed restoration, by the architect and builder of all things (Heb 11:10), the reunion of God and His chosen people will be perfected. Holy, blameless, joyful, glorified, and abounding in His everlasting love…we now prepare.

The Christian life, today, is our practice field. We live here by faith in the Son of God (Gal 2:20), walking in love by His Spirit who indwells the born again (Rom 8:9, 11; 1 Pet 1:3). Against the machinations of the enemy of our souls, we live to make Christ known to others. By Word and deed, we live in light of our heavenly calling as children of God and co-heirs with Christ (Rom 8:17; Heb 3:1) — to whom belongs honor, authority, praise, majesty, dominion, and glory, now and forevermore.

May God cause your faith and love to abound toward all people, especially the household of faith, which has Christ as its builder, Lord, and protector….and may the joy of the Lord be your strength until the end. Amen.

David Norczyk

Spokane Valley, Washington

August 20, 2023