Counsel

"And now I have set you before God and the message of his grace," Acts 20:32.

Who has set whom before God? The apostle Paul has handed over to God the elders of the Ephesian congregation. Hmm. How were these elders, so to speak, in Paul's care to that point? Well, he, Paul, had worked among them selflessly for years to teach and show them Christ. He had warned of twisted dangers ahead and of their need to keep alert, to feed God's precious congregation, bought with Jesus' blood! But mainly, Paul had declared God's whole counsel with them: The Word of God's grace. He would now leave, so they must continue in that Word, on their own, with God. Why? because the Word of God's grace is able to build up and to deliver the inheritance God has for all his holy people. Sky kingdom.

As we share with a brother or sister today, we find strength in the presence of our God. And, together, we give thanks for his grace that grows us into Christ and secures heaven.