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Eph 1:15-23 (ESV)
15 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
In this passage, Paul builds on his prayer from the previous verses. Paul is praying for an increase of knowledge and understanding and spiritual maturity for the Ephesian believers. And this increase happens all in and through the Lord and through His son Jesus who is seated above, in power and authority over all things; every king, every nation, even Rome and the emperor himself. The whole thing is like a crescendo as Paul talks about the Ephesians' faith and about the nature and character of God and what God has done. As we read these words you can almost hear Paul’s voice growing in strength and certainty. It just keeps rising up and up and up.
You almost get the sense of Paul being overwhelmed as he talks about who God is and what he loves about Jesus.
Look at verses 17-19a; what is Paul praying for concerning the believers? There are four “knows” and the first one is to know the Lord. Regarding the other three, the “know” is implied; knowing hope, knowing the riches of your inheritance, and knowing His power—the power that changed and continues to change your life through your relationship with Christ.
I’m forced to ask a question of myself at this moment, one that may be for you as well; how well do I really know the Lord and all that He has for me; His hope, the riches of my inheritance in Christ and His power which is at work in and through me?
This is powerful stuff and the emphasis on Jesus’ power and authority over all creation shouldn’t slip by us.
Go back and look at verse 19 and see what it says about the power of the Lord; it’s stunning!
The Lord’s power, which is transforming our lives and flooding the world with His glory is available to us right now.
It doesn’t mean that we drop a “in Jesus name” or misuse the Spirit as if we’re conjurors and magicians summoning the Lord to perform signs and wonders at our discretion.
The power of the Lord isn’t something that we control but that power is available to us to work the Lord’s transformation in our lives and in the lives of others as we continue to pray, asking for and working in step with the Lord’s will as we center our hearts and minds on Jesus.
And as we center our hearts and minds on Jesus, He works through us. We become His agents of change as we witness to the power of His transforming love and grace in our own lives and as we care for and love the culture around us who wonder if Jesus actually has the power to make a difference in their lives.
Can others see the power of Christ at work in us and reflected in you?
Good stuff for us to consider this morning.
God bless you and know that I’m praying for you constantly.
Scott
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