More Reading...

One of my favorite books of the Bible is Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. It contains some of the Bible’s most uplifting and encouraging passages. I am so encouraged in how Paul brings chapter one to a close. After enumerating seven spiritual blessings “in Christ”; he tells the Ephesians he has been praying for them. He specifically tells them he has been praying:  “that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, 18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power 20 which 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 principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. 22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” (Eph. 1:17-23)

​

Please note that Paul says he is asking God for four things for them:

 

(1)  That they might have spiritual wisdom and knowledge (v. 17).

 

(2)  That they might fully comprehend the great hope of His calling (v. 18).

 

(3)  That they might fully appreciate the richness of their eternal inheritance (v. 18).

 

(4)  That they might fully appreciate “the exceeding greatness of His power toward          us who believe” (v. 19).

 

These are wonderful things to think of and cherish within and of themselves. Truly amazing and encouraging stuff!  However, Paul adds to number four when he says that we might know that God’s great power “toward us who believe” is “according to the working of His mighty power” (v. 19).  It totally blows me away what he says next insofar as the extent of this great power.  This power “toward us who believe” is the same power that:

​

(1)  Raised Christ from the dead (v. 20).

 

(2)  Elevated Christ to God’s right hand (v. 20).

 

(3)  Elevated Christ above all powers such that He rules the physical and spiritual              universes (vv. 20, 22).

 

(4)  Gave Christ the greatest name above all others, forever! (v. 21).

 

(5)  Made Christ head of the church (vv. 22-23).

​

Imagine that power! It is available to us IF we have the faith to grab a hold of it!  We need to constantly focus on these things and realize they are 100% true and apply to every believer specifically and personally. I also do my best to connect these thoughts with Ephesians 3:20 (“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us…”)  God spoke the physical universe into existence from nothing! (cf. Gen. 1; Heb. 11:3). If He can do that, then surely, He is able to help us with our problems! (cf. Romans 8:31).

​

Craig Thomas