Scripture Text: Ephesians 3:14-21
that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,
Ephesians 3:16
The obviousness and simplicity of the text states and provides clearly what the apostle Paul desires for the saints in Ephesus/Ephesian Church. This prayer to God is so much pleasing, acceptable, and is trustworthy on our part! We can use it as our prayer for the church as well, even more individually or for ourselves. But what needs to be focused for today’s study is answering the question—why is this the prayer of Paul? And in answering this, here lies the passion of God for the glorious risen Christ—His beloved Son. So, we are encouraged to put it to our hearts that this prayer is trustworthy. That this prayer must be central aim as well.
After understanding how Paul’s apostleship validates our partaking in Christ’s glory, this leaves no room for doubting that this prayer is really indeed trustworthy. However, let’s answer still: “For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen (vv.14-21)”. Immediately, we can notice that this prayer is trustworthy because Paul is an apostle of the Lord according to His [perfect] will (3:1). And as an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, he is confined by the task entrusted to him by the Lord – to carry God’s gospel and complete counsel to the Gentiles (Acts 9:15). Finally, Paul, as an apostle of the glorious risen Christ, it is therefore automatic that he reflects the very heart of the One who has sent him (2 Corinthians 5:21).
If we are to take these very words, we must make sure that the acceptance that we will do is accompanied by the understanding that these are inspired words or God-breathed. Therefore, these words are from the Holy Spirit, empowering Paul to write this prayer to the Ephesian Church (and to us as well), which fully reveals God’s burning passion – the glory of His own dear Son. And so with this, dear saint, this prayer must be your central aim! As Paul desires:
That the saints may know more of the Lord (v.17)
That the promise set forth by the Lord will be more desirable for all the saints – the hope in which God gave to those who believe in His Son (v.18)
That the power of God may be magnified among the saints who are held by it – sanctifying them to glorification (vv.19-20)
Knowing this now, dear saint, growing in the knowledge of God must be unceasingly prayed for, and the deepening of knowledge of God shall cause us to walk in a manner worthy before the Lord (vv.16-17)! Also, dear saint, our hearts must be continually enlightened by God through His words and through the power of the Holy Spirit, as we continue to acquaint ourselves intimately in God’s power – the power at work within us (vv.18-20). In this, Christ’s glory is extolled! In His Church, and individually. This is the passion of God, and may we see our hearts through God’s power in the same burning passion and heartbeat.
May your heart, dear saint, be truly captivated by this blessedness that you have in Him, and because of Him! May you find yourself, together with the psalmist, acclaiming, bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits! who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
Ultimately, the enjoyment of God in Christ is the only joy and happiness with which our souls can be truly and magnificently satisfied.
Desire to know Him more, who has loved you unconditionally and eternally! Thirst and long for Him! Be in awe of Him—the darling of Heaven! He is all yours… He is all-perfect, all-holy, all-glorious!
Hear this then, dear saint: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
Christ is all that we have! Christ is all that we need!
Take heart, dear saint!
Reflect
1. Will you make it your aim to grow more in understanding the love of Christ that surpasses all knowledge?
2. Will you make it your aim to be filled with all the fullness of God?
3. Do you continue to grow in need of His grace?
4. Do you desire and long to love Him more, as you ought to be?
Remember
Every blessing from God and our Father are means to keep us back to our chief end—to glorify God and enjoy Him forever! Live your life therefore for the praise of His glory, and continue to live out your blessedness in Him!
Pray
Father in heaven, I come before You in the name of Your Son, asking You what You expect for me to yearn for after learning Your passion, in your servant’s inspired plea. In the richness of Your grace, Father, make me rooted and grounded in love, and that I may able to comprehend together with all Your children, Your love in Him that surpasses all knowledge, and that I may be filled with Your fullness in Him. Father, for the sake of the glory of Your own dear Son, help me to make this my heartbeat. In His name I pray. Amen.
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