Paul's Prayer - Eph. 1:15-19a...Part 1

"For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which you were called, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for us who believe."
Eph. 1:15-19a

Because these believers have been included in Christ, and their faith in the Lord Jesus and their love for all the saints were evident, Paul prays for them. It is interesting that Paul used faith and love as the descriptors of whether the Ephesians were truly "included" in Christ. Boy this seems so relevant to us today when true Christianity has been muddied by a culture. They're are so many people who call themselves believers, but there is so little visible evidence of that fact. The Scriptures are clear that faith is made evident.

Paul does not use works as an indicator... he uses faith and love. The believers faith was visible! How do you make your faith visible? By living it! Their lives were so radically lived out for Jesus that people couldn't help but notice. Not only was their faith visible, but their love for each other was. They cared for one another and loved "all the saints". They genuinely and consistently exercised love for all believers. Their faith and love were visible!

God help me today live a life of faith in Jesus in such a way that others know that I am a follower of Jesus, and may my actions reflect a love for my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ!

Comments

D. Jacobs said…
Reminds me so much of the theme of the second chapter of James. You don't try to make your faith visible to TRY and make it genuine, it IS visible BECAUSE it is genuine. Good stuff JP.
December 31, 2010 at 10:04 AM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Navigating a Culture of "Pride" as a Christian

 June has been known as Pride Month ever since President Bill Clinton announced it back in 1999, and it has gained more and more steam since, particularly in the last 5 years.  It has made its way into small towns, into schools, and into the faith community as well.  In many ways it has become the loudest voice of the culture we live in, especially in the month of June.  It is a topic all over social media, the film industry, and media itself.  The agenda to normalize issues such as homosexuality and gender identity is pervasive.  You can hardly watch a series on main stream television, much less cable tv, without being confronted with these issues.  Some of the most prominent influences and influencers are now targeting children as their primary audience.  All of this has quickly shaped our culture, and anyone who thinks that the bombardment of these influences do not really have an effect on people, I would challenge them to learn about marketing.  The developments in the past 10 yea
Read more

Humanism in Christian Clothing

 I find myself more and more baffled by some of the things that I see posted on social media and how it seems to connect with so many.  I saw a post that quoted a pastor that said, "When your spirituality denies someone's humanity, it isn't spirituality, it's hatred wrapped up in religiosity."  The post attributes this to Mark Sandlin.  I don't know this pastor, if he really said it, or what the context was surrounding the quote.  However, it would seem reasonable to assume that the individual posting the quote was implying that if your spirituality leads you to conclude that homosexuality, transgenderism, or any other LGTBQ+ issue is sin, and you don't think it is the public schools job to normalize this, then you are denying someone's humanity, thus your spirituality is really not spirituality... it is hatred wrapped in religiosity.  This is a really odd statement for several reasons. 1.  What makes something spiritual?  Who defines what this is?  Is
Read more

Why Israel Still Matters in God's Plan

When someone professes faith in Christ and becomes a Christian, they enter in what the Scriptures calls the New Covenant.  This New Covenant is considered a greater covenant than the Old Covenant or Mosaic Covenant.  The Jewish people related to God through the Old Covenant for thousands of years.  Ultimately, this covenant pointed out one very important truth about life... Mankind naturally turns away from the living God and proves incapable of keeping the righteous demands of a Holy God.  As Biblical history unfolds, we find that Israel quickly abandon God and worshiped the gods of the surrounding nations.  They would have momentary bright spots, but even in those bright spots, the rebellious heart of man was on full display (King David anyone?).  The Law itself pointed out man's inability to keep the law and draws people to see that they need God's mercy.  Summary - Mankind needs a Savior because he sure can't save himself.   This is where Jesus comes in as a mediator of
Read more