
Petra Podcast
About This Show
Show Info: Listen to our Sunday morning messages. Our church is located in New Holland, PA. USA.
Show Info: Listen to our Sunday morning messages. Our church is located in New Holland, PA. USA.
Paul begins by saying he has a great struggle for the believers, even for those he has not met. The word translated “struggle” has the idea of a contest or fight. Since he is in prison while writing this letter, he most likely means he has a great fight in prayer and intercession for these believers. He is fighting for the protection of their faith. He is aware that false teachers have come to argue for a philosophy that ignores or adds to the message of Jesus. He says “my purpose” is their hearts would be encouraged and united in love. This is how he is fighting in prayer for them, that they would be faithful in their hearts to Christ and in love for each other. Then, in this way, they can experience all the riches that come from a complete understanding of God’s mystery, which is Christ. The mystery of who God is and what he is like is revealed or understood in Jesus. The mystery of how to know God and to be in relationship with him is revealed in Jesus. There are great riches in knowing Christ; not simply knowing about him, but knowing him. What are these great riches we enjoy? There are too many to begin to name. But we want to focus on this aspect of these riches; you and I can live understanding life, successfully navigating life, because we have a complete understanding of God. Our understanding of God allows us to understand life.