Rooted and Grounded

Imprisonment gives a person plenty of time to think. 

So I hear. 

The book of Ephesians is a result of Paul having plenty of time to think and dispatch letters due to him either being in prison or under house arrest because of preaching.

If he couldn't be out and about sharing the Gospel, he would simply send out letters to encourage and correct new groups of believers. 

His life was transformed from a religious killer to a man on fire with the love of God through Jesus Christ for others both Jew and Gentile (non-Jew). When something life-giving burns in your heart, it radiates from within.

Perhaps, the recipients of this letter were scared and without a leader. For in this excerpt from his letter to the Ephesians, Paul encourages them to "not lose heart" because of his current situation and prayed for them to be strengthened in their spirits by the power of the Spirit of God. In all, he writes of love being the driving force. God's redeeming love for mankind. And, because God gave His love, that love is within us and works through us.

"...that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love..." (Ephesians 3:17).

Read the next to verses, too. 

Let an imprisoned man's encouraging words reach through history into your current situation so that your spirit is strengthened and everything you say and do is motivated by God's love within you.

~ "Sam"