Introduction

“God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 1:8).

The Apostle Paul loved the brothers and sisters of the Philippian church with the affection of Jesus Christ.  He loved them as Himself, following the commandment of Jesus (Mt. 22:39; Mk. 12:31; Lk. 10:27).  Paul sincerely cared for the brothers and sisters of the Philippian church with the affection of Jesus Christ.  In other words, he longed for them with the love of Jesus.  Furthermore, Paul prayed for the brothers and sisters of the Philippian church with the affection of Jesus Christ (Phil. 1:9-11).  He always thought of them and earnestly prayed to God for them whenever he remembered them.  When he prayed for them, he thanked God with joy (v. 4).  The reason for this was that the brothers and sisters of the Philippian church had been actively participating in Paul's gospel work since the beginning of the church (v. 5).

I desire to love my fellow believers as Paul did, with the affection of Jesus Christ, becoming one with them in the Lord.  I want to seek them with the affection of Jesus Christ.  Additionally, I want to comfort each one of them individually.  Like the son of encouragement, Barnabas, I continue to pray that the Lord would establish me as a burning comforter of love.  I wish to see those in pain whom the Lord sees, to hear their cries that the Lord hears, and to be the hands and feet of the Lord to comfort them with the affection of Jesus Christ.  I hope and pray that the comforting Holy Spirit would bring God's word to their minds, allowing them to share in it individually, and that the Holy Spirit would provide comfort to each one of them.

In 2014, our church motto was "With the Affection of Jesus Christ," with the key verse being Philippians 1:8.  That year, I primarily proclaimed God's word, focusing on the New Testament, particularly the Gospel of Matthew.  It wasn't until about four years later that I selected a few of the messages I preached during that time and compiled them into a meditation book under the title "With the Affection of Jesus Christ."  If it is the Lord's will, I hope and pray that through this meditation book, even if just for a while, it may be beneficial in loving a soul with the affection of Jesus Christ.

Wishing to become a burning comforter of love,

James Kim

(June 2018, expressing gratitude to the Lord for precious encounters through online ministry)