Scripture Text: Ephesians 1:18a
having the eyes of your hearts enlightened,
Ephesians 1:18a
As it was mentioned in the Scriptures, the heart is deceitful above all, and we must protect the heart, for it is the very center of the will. The Scriptures has not failed to inform us that it is the dirtiest place of all. For out it, comes defilement – “But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander,” Says the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. This is where total depravity is greatly shown. But praise be to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, that the dirtiest place in the world has been conquered by the Lord Himself! For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. Growing more in the knowledge of Him is part of our blessedness as Christians. Keep in mind that we have been given abundant grace to know God through His Son – He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation, or He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power.
No wonder that at the heart of the apostle Paul’s prayer (reflecting the heart of Christ for the Church), is the burning passion and deep concern for the enlightenment of the heart: “I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened,” (v.18a). Immediately, the apostle Paul uses words that picture eyes that have been brightened with divine illumination [enlightened]. This is crucial because in our fallen state before God, or prior to our rebirth (born-again), our hearts' natural desire and inclination is the opposite of everything about God. That’s why enlightened here is illuminated with the glories of Christ through proper knowledge of Him! Enlighted here is being well instructed through a proper understanding of Christ with His revealed glories and this results surely to a life transformed because of having proper knowledge of who He is!
Truly, having an enlightened heart is vital, and we must progress in this matter as well if we truly love and cherish the Lord Jesus Christ as most.
To know God through Christ personally is eternal life – “And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” Says the Lord Himself.
To know God through Christ increasingly is sanctification – “that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,” says the apostle Paul.
To know God through Christ perfectly is glorification – “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.” again, says the apostle Paul.
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. Do you now make it your aim to know more of Christ for a deeper worship of Him?
2. Do you seek to have an enlightened heart, beholding more of His glories?
3. 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!
Read
1 John 3:1-3
Pray
Father in Heaven, I come before You, in the name of Your Son. As what I have learned today, that it must be part of my progress to have a continuous enlightened heart, please, oh Lord, grant me this gift of seeing more of His beauties and excellencies, that my heart might be awakened, reformed, and conformed to Him. Please, Father, continue to incline my heart towards Him, who is my greatest and highest blessedness. This I pray, in His name. Amen.
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