Ephesians 3:14-21, Prayer for God’s Fullness (4)

When the Holy Spirit is at work strengthening the  inner man of those who have been rooted and grounded in the love of Christ, He is truly coming to be at home in our lives.  As Christ lives in us, we see and “comprehend”, more and more, His love in all its dimensions as we continue on our pilgrimage.  The logical conclusion of the end of this is that we are filled with the fullness of God.  We become consumed by God.  He fills our thoughts, our heart, our very being (soul).  To be filled with His fullness is to love Him with all your heart, mind, soul and strength.  This is, of course, the greatest commandment.  What the command in and of itself could not do (make us love God with all we are) Christ has done by filling us with Himself and His love.

But, believe it or not, this is still not the end of this prayer.  Eph. 3:20-21 are a “benediction” at the end of Eph. 1-3.  It adds two things to this prayer.

·       First, there is another encouragement to our faith.  Paul is counting on Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think to answer this prayer.  God truly is powerful and fully capable.  We see this in three words used in our passage.  In v16 Paul prayed they would be strengthened (empowered, Greek dunamis) with might (God’s power, Greek kratos).  That is why the Holy Spirit must do this work, because the power is divine power.  Then in v20 Paul speaks of the power (Greek dunamis) that works (energizes, Greek energeo) in us.  Because Paul began this prayer by asking God to empower them by His power, he now is assured that God is energizing the believers with His great power. 

·       Second, there is something beyond our being filled with God’s fullness, something greater that is accomplished.  To Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever.  All of this is for the glory of God, and specifically glory that He would receive IN the church and BY Christ Jesus. 

o   Back in v18, when Paul spoke of comprehending the surpassing love of Christ, he noted that they would do this with all the saints.  All the church, Jews and Gentiles, will have the same experience of Christ’s love that will result in the fullness of God.  This is available to every believer.  Now he is saying that through this, God will receive glory in the church. 

o   And have you noticed: Christ is at the center of this entire matter.  He must be truly at home in the believer; and it is His all surpassing love that must and will be comprehended.  Thus the glory goes to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named. 

For whom can you pray this prayer?  You know it is God’s will.  So let us pray in faith that God might be glorified more and more.