Ephesians 1:15-23, A Prayer for Spiritual Insight (4)

What is to be accomplished by the fulfillment of this prayer?

·       That you may know what is the hope of His calling.  The “calling” is found in Eph. 1:4, when God chose us to be holy and blameless before Him.  That is our calling; to be conformed to the image of His Son (Rom. 8:29).  Therefore, what is the “hope” of this calling?  It is the assurance that God will bring us to that likeness to Christ.  He is able to keep us from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy (Jude 24).  He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ (Phil. 1:6).  In Romans 8, the great promise of v28 (that all things work together for good) is tied to the calling; our being holy and blameless is the “good” that God promises to bring about in everything in our lives.  In Eph. 1, God was so serious about the calling that He predestined us to be adopted as “sons.”  What a wonderful hope we have, that will sustain us in all difficulties. 

·       That you may know what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.  The “inheritance” comes from Eph. 1:11: In Him (Christ) also we have obtained an inheritance.  This inheritance is tied to our calling.  Since we are predestined to be “sons of God” our Father has given us an inheritance.  Because of this, as Peter says, we have all we need for life and godliness, great and precious promises, through which we become partakers of the divine nature (2 Pet. 1:3-4).  These spiritual blessings/precious promises include the gift of the Holy Spirit, the peace of Christ, the privilege of coming to the Father in Jesus’ name, the hope of an eternal home after this life, and so much more.  We ought not live as spiritual paupers when we have such glorious riches in Christ.

·       That you may know what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe.  This power is the same power God showed in Christ by raising Him from the dead, seating Him at His right hand, and giving Him authority over all things, including the Church (Eph. 1:20-23).  These demonstrations of power are all part of the mystery of His will (1:9).  This is the power available to believers as they are part of this “mystery.”  God’s power enables us to do God’s work, which, as Jesus made clear, is to make disciples of all nations (Mt. 28:19-20).  As more become followers of Christ, the more the “mystery” of God (exalting Christ over the nations, Psalm 2:6-9) is being fulfilled.  So of course, His power is available for His work.

Now as you think about these things, is this not what you desire for the young people in your church?  Or for believing children and grandchildren? Or even for older Christians who struggle, trying to do their best for God in their own power?  Perhaps you would also want to pray this prayer for yourself?