Instruction
Scripture: Ephesians3:14-21
After writing about the unity the believers have in Christ,
Paul elaborated a little more about this mystery and also wrote about his calling
to proclaim the gospel. In this section he wrote about his prayer for the
Ephesians. He asked for the Holy Spirit to give them power in their “inner
being” and that they be rooted and grounded in love – specifically the love of
Christ. The force of the text is to move the reader to trust solely in the
power of God to live the life of faith and to reveal the true nature of the
love of Christ, having been filled with, “the fullness of God.”
Teaching
Christian athletes often like to refer to Ephesians 3:20 as
a source of encouragement for their competitive pursuits. Paul has described a
relationship with God in which we are powerless, indeed dead, but God has
intervened and his power makes us alive, “in Christ.” Paul’s prayer is in much
the same vein. He speaks of God’s Spirit in the believer’s inner being and
Christ dwelling in the believer’s heart. This is power to animate the one who
trusts in Christ. Moreover, this where the ability to comprehend how great this
salvation is and how amazing the love of Christ is.
When Paul refers to being, “able to do far more abundantly
than all that we ask of think…,” he is really stressing how great a miracle it
is for us to have faith and to know God’s love. It is bringing the dead to
life. It is such a great thing that one must think of it in terms of breadth
and length and height and depth. It surpasses knowledge. And this incredible
life giving salvation is what God delivers to sinners who believe in Jesus.
Life
There is a saying that familiarity breeds contempt. While we
certainly do not have contempt for the glorious salvation and new life that we
have in Christ, our familiarity with it often dulls our sense of awe at the
miracle God has made in us. This is especially true for those of us who grew up
in Christian homes and have been Christians since we were little children.
When was the last time you pondered the riches of God’s
glory? And I don’t mean the glory of heaven, but the glory of God who risks
all, dares all, and gives all to save you? Have you ever considered how
incredible it is that the Holy Spirit makes your soul alive and dwells within
you? Is it not beyond our wildest imagination that God would give his Son to
die for sinners like us? And he didn’t just die, but rose and gives us
forgiveness, life, love, strength, and so much more!
Prayer
This prayer is written
in the theme of Confession.
Lord God, we confess to you our slowness to bow our knees
before you and to rely on the strength and power that you alone can give. Too
often we try to live by our own power, or to take credit for some piece of what
you alone can do. Please forgive us. We have become dulled in our sense of awe
at how richly you have blessed us – giving us your Holy Spirit, Christ dwelling
in our hearts, grounding us in love that surpasses knowledge. You have filled
us with your own fullness, but we live as though these lives are ours to do as
we choose and to pursue our desires. We call on you in time of need, but do not
rely on you for every good thing that we have. Forgive us, dear Lord, for
Jesus’ sake. Amen.
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