Ephesians 1:15-18

Ephesians 1:15-18

Because of this, even after I heard about the faith according to you all in the Lord Jesus and the love that is into all the holy ones, I do not cease while giving thanks for you all while making a remembrance upon my prayers in order that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ – the Father of glory – should give to you all a spirit of wisdom and a revelation in His knowledge, having been made known to the eyes of your hearts in order that you all have known what is the hope of His calling, what is the great abundance of the glory of His inheritance in the holy ones …

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Paul notes where the Ephesians have begun.  They have faith in Jesus Christ.  They have love into the holy ones.  In other words, they are in Christ and they love those who are also in Christ.  Because of this, Paul does not cease giving thanks to them.  This is not far from the two great commandments that Jesus gives us in Matthew 22:36-40.  We are to Love God and love our neighbor.  This is what Paul sees in the Ephesian people.  That is a great place to start.

Do you love God?  How do you see this in your life?  Do you love those who also love God?  Who among the beloved of God is hard to love for you?  Why is that true?  Who is easy to love?  Why is that true?

Second Thought:

However, Paul knows that the life of the Christian does not stop at faith and love.  Rather, that is the beginning.  That is the foundation upon which life is built.  Look at what Paul says here in the middle of the passage.  Having begun in faith and love, Paul now hopes that God bestows upon them wisdom and revelation.  Faith and love are the foundation for a deeper knowledge of God.  Faith and love are the pieces upon which relationship with the Creator are built.  Faith and love are not the end, they are the beginning!

Is your faith and love causing growth in you?  Where are you growing in the wisdom and revelation of God?  How is that growth taking place?

Third Thought:

We see that faith and love lead to wisdom and revelation.  Where does revelation and wisdom lead?  Paul tells us that next in line is the hope of our calling.  When we start to put this together, it all makes sense.  Before God can teach us, we must first have faith and love for Him and His own.  Then God can instruct us in His ways, causing us to grow.  Once we have grown in wisdom and revelation upon the foundation of faith and love we are then ready to be used by Him in His calling!  Doesn’t it make sense that we can be best used by God only after we have been trained and our skills honed?

Have you thought about the fact that in order for God to use you best you need to grow upon your faith and love within you?  Where have you seen this dynamic at work in the spiritual people around you?  Are you open to this dynamic working within you as well?  Who can help you grow your wisdom and revelation so that you can identify and live out God’s great calling for you?

Passage for Tomorrow: Ephesians 1:19-23