Ephesians 3:14-21

Ephesians 3:14-21

On account of this I bend my knees before of the Father, out of whom every family in heaven and on earth is being named in order that He should give to you all power to be strengthened according to the riches of His glory through His Spirit into your inner man, so that through faithfulness Christ should dwell in your hearts having been rooted and having become steadfast in love in order that you all should be fully able to comprehend with all the saints that which is the breadth and length and height and depth as well as to know His love that greatly surpasses knowledge in order that you all should be filled in all fullness of God.  And to the one who is powerful enough over all things to do beyond all measure that which we ask or think – according to the power that is at work in us – to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus into every generation of the age of ages.  Amen.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Paul opens with an explanation of the reason that he approaches before the Father in prayer.  He does it for a very multilayered meaning.  He prays that the Ephesians would be strengthened in their inner being.  He prays that Christ should be rooted in their hearts.  He prays that they should be able to comprehend the fullness of God.  It is interesting to hear about Paul’s prayer.  So many times we pray for ourselves.  So many times our prayers are for our own needs.  Not so with Paul.  Paul prays intimately before God for the sake of those whom he has helped shepherd towards a relationship with God.

What do you pray for?  How often do you pray for those whom you’ve discipled?  What does that feel like?

Second Thought:

As if to drive this point home, Paul then reminds the Ephesians that they experience God with all the saints.  John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, had a neat expression: “No man ever experienced heaven alone.”  However we perceive it, the reality is that there is an incredible genealogy of faith to which we belong.  The author of Hebrews tells us that there is a great cloud of witnesses.  We are not alone.  You are not alone.  God’s saints throughout the years have walked where we currently walk.

Does it say anything to you that you are not alone?  Why is it important to realize that others have treaded this same spiritual ground that you now walk?

Third Thought:

 Once more we return to one of Paul’s overarching themes in this book.  It is God’s power that is important.  He is the one who is powerful enough to go beyond what we think is possible.  He is the one who calls us into unity with Him and with one another.  He is the one who works in us.  He is the one who is around for generation after generation.  He deserves our praise.

Does it surprise you to hear Paul once more talk about giving glory to God?  Why or why not?

Passage for Tomorrow: Ephesians 4:1-3