"Because of this too having heard the faith according to you in the Lord Jesus and the love unto all the saints..."
-It’s one thing for someone to say that they have faith, that they believe in Jesus. But you wanna know how you can know if someone is really and truly following Christ, if they have indeed trusted in Him for the forgiveness of their sins and eternal life? Love for all the saints. That is the litmus test. Jesus said it (John 13.34-35), John reiterated it (1John 3.10, 4.20-21), and Paul says it here. He is assured of the Ephesians genuine faith by the genuine love they display towards one another. How can I be following the God-Who-Is-love, how can I claim to love Him Who I have never seen when and if I do not love the one right next to me who as it turns out is actually a member of my family? The proof of the pudding, so to speak, is seen in the love and care and compassion I demonstrate for my fellow Christ-followers. Paul knew that God was indeed at work in the lives of the ones in this assembly in Ephesus, that they were truly following Jesus, because they gave clear indication of this thru the fact that they really loved one another. You wanna know if God is at work in an assembly? Look for how they love one another. You should see it on their faces and in their holy kisses (hugs?). You will see it in their devotion and service to one another. Sharing, patience, kindness, forgiveness, striving together for the Gospel, spending time together, breaking bread, joy and celebration, compassion and caring and meeting needs - that’s how you know.
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