Love Letters

Well, this is my third visit coming up. Remember the Scripture that says, “A matter becomes clear after two or three witnesses give evidence”? On my second visit I warned that bunch that keeps sinning over and over in the same old ways that when I came back I wouldn’t go easy on them. Now, preparing for the third, I’m saying it again from a distance. If you haven’t changed your ways by the time I get there, look out. You who have been demanding proof that Christ speaks through me will get more than you bargained for. You’ll get the full force of Christ, don’t think you won’t. He was sheer weakness and humiliation when he was killed on the cross, but oh, he’s alive now—in the mighty power of God! We weren’t much to look at, either, when we were humiliated among you, but when we deal with you this next time, we’ll be alive in Christ, strengthened by God.
2nd Corinthians 13:1-4 The Message

Is this the side of Paul that we would want to deal with? I don't think so. Some might read that passage and not view this particular passage as part of a love letter. And yet, that's exactly what this is. Love at its deepest level. Love so deep that it cannot bear the thought of them being in danger. Love so strong that it cannot allow the sin to continue. Love so powerful that it will risk the loss in order to have Truth prevail.

I've written about it before - false peace. The facade created and worn to be socially acceptable. The Why-can't-we-all-just-get-along-kind-of-peace. It's.Not.Real. It won't last. Working to a place of peace is hard. Love may be living in harmony and peace, but sometimes you have to work hard at loving, too. 

Jesus did. He loved you to death... and back.

Prayer:

Father,
            We pray as Paul prayed in Ephesians 3, For this reason we kneel before You, the Father from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. We pray that out of Your glorious riches You may strengthen us with power through Your Spirit in our inner being, so that Christ may dwell in our hearts through faith. And I pray that being rooted and established in love, we may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that we may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of You, O God. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen