“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.” Ephesians 1.18-23
Paul begins in v.18 when a pray intention for all who believe. That the “eyes of your heart might be enlightened” so we might have a greater understanding of “the hope to which he has called you. Paul wants believers to really know the true reason we have been saved — to be recipients of a “glorious inheritance.” But as Paul may not realize, this is not how people talk these days! The richness of this writing is incomparable.
But it’s not just to an inheritance to which we have been called, it is also to be given an “incomparably great power” to all who believe. What power? Paul tells us by roughly sayings its the same power that God used to raise Jesus from the dead and “seated him in heaven.” This is the power made accessible to believers in Christ.
So if I get this right, by believing in Christ, I am promised not only an inheritance of glorious riches of grace, love, mercy, redemption, eternal reign with Christ, but, I am also given an internal supernatural power to use at my discretion so that I might live according to the will and love of God the Father.
Needless to say, I am not fully tapping in to this power! I dare say I’ve utilized more than 10% of it at any given time in my life. Even when I feel God’s closeness, am I utilizing the power of the Spirit? The same power that raised Christ from the dead and put Jesus in heaven? Imagine the things I could do with this power – if I wielded it in obedience to Christ? If I surrendered my soul and flesh to the point of complete obedience, consider what could be accomplished?
My friend Paul just returned from a mission trip to Costa Rica and he said what he experienced was incredible. He saw people who were demon possessed being set free and the Spirit’s leading was orderly while messy. He saw, felt and touched the power of God in ways he had not felt in a long time.
Do you have this power living in your life? Have you surrendered to Christ and asked for this power that you might have a “greater understanding of the hope to which you have been called?
“O Lord God, come among us. Help us know the power of your Spirit. Fall afresh upon us. Help us know the truth of your love and the grace of your will. Thank you Jesus for your sacrifice so I might have life and know you completely. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen