The “Songs of the Deliverer” series tells the story of Christ and the Apostles re-imagined in modern day. It is a work of fiction but the stories and characters are based on the New Testament. These Reflections feature Biblical verses referenced in the second book, Faith Wins.
Referenced in Chapter 21
A nation is divided. People are losing their jobs and their incomes are declining. They are angry and confused. They’re suspicious of their leaders, they distrust one another. And then a riot ensues.
That was the situation in Ephesus when a man named Paul came to town.
Paul told them how to act. Do not covet possessions or status, he implored, but live according to the ways of Jesus:
“Now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” (Acts of the Apostles 20:32 – 35)
It is more blessed to give. Because when we are charitable and kind, our gifts are rewarded with the living Spirt of Christ and an inheritance endowed by God:
“When you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.” (Ephesians 1:13 – 14)
Paul tells the people of Ephesus in his letter written after his stay with them, that Jesus came to reconcile us to God and Christ is the foundation – the cornerstone – of our relationship with God:
“Christ came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:17 – 22)
The Apostle Paul tells the Ephesians, tells all of us, that knowing and loving Jesus Christ is to know and love God:
“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:14 – 19)
Understanding that Christ was sent to us as an outpouring of God’s love, Paul gives us instructions on how to live a life that is good:
“Put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:22 – 24)
Then Paul tells us to “walk in love” and imitate God in our behaviors such as (from Ephesians 5):
- Do not engage in foolishness or crudeness
- Do not be deceived by empty words
- Take no part in works borne of darkness, but expose them to the light
- Children, listen to your parents; parents teach your children the ways of God.
- Spouses love and respect each other
- Know that whatever good one does, they will receive back from God
- Give thanks always to God
Finally, Paul tells us to give our all for God and stand firm no matter what obstacles are set before us:
“Take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.” (Ephesians 6:13 – 18)
We are called to overcome division among nations and to gain peace for all people. This is how to prepare for the battle and fight the good fight:
- Live in the truth of Jesus Christ
- Be righteous in action
- Share the gospel with all people
- Be faithful to the word of God
- Seek eternal salvation
- Let the Spirit guide you always
And stand firm with God.
Here is link to the book on Amazon: Songs of the Deliverer II – Faith Wins
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