Ephesians 1:17-19
New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
17 I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, 18 so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power.
The "eyes of our hearts" are enlightened as a result of Jesus blessing us with a spirit of wisdom and revelation. Through our relationship with Him he helps us to know more fully and to live more confidently. Notice however, that our knowing and living are not so we can receive glory, but so that we may know and be more aware of His Glory.
Our enlightenment is so that we " may know what is the hope to which he has called " us. What is that hope? John 3: 17 “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him." Jesus gives us wisdom and revelation so that we can join Him in His Father's plan of salvation. We can be witnesses because of the hope and assurance that we have of His perfect will.
Our enlightenment is so that we may know "what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints." What are these riches and this glorious inheritance? As we walk with Christ, filled with His Spirit, we become more and more aware of God's love. We find ourselves thanking God more often and with more awe. The riches and the inheritance that Jesus makes known to us through the revelation of His Spirit is God's Love for us and the oneness with Him which Jesus prayed for in John 17.
Our enlightenment is so that we may know "what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power." What is this immeasurable greatness of his power? God's Grace is so hard for us to understand and embrace. We cannot imagine a salvation which we do not deserve or earn. We cannot imagine forgiveness without making sacrifices or groveling before God. We cannot fathom a love that would suffer death for us, so that we can come before God as unblemished children. The greatness of God's power is that He chooses us worthy and by His Grace we are saved!
The "eyes of our hearts" are enlightened as a result of Jesus blessing us with a spirit of wisdom and revelation. Through our relationship with Him he helps us to know more fully and to live more confidently. Notice however, that our knowing and living are not so we can receive glory, but so that we may know and be more aware of His Glory.
Our enlightenment is so that we " may know what is the hope to which he has called " us. What is that hope? John 3: 17 “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him." Jesus gives us wisdom and revelation so that we can join Him in His Father's plan of salvation. We can be witnesses because of the hope and assurance that we have of His perfect will.
Our enlightenment is so that we may know "what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints." What are these riches and this glorious inheritance? As we walk with Christ, filled with His Spirit, we become more and more aware of God's love. We find ourselves thanking God more often and with more awe. The riches and the inheritance that Jesus makes known to us through the revelation of His Spirit is God's Love for us and the oneness with Him which Jesus prayed for in John 17.
Our enlightenment is so that we may know "what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power." What is this immeasurable greatness of his power? God's Grace is so hard for us to understand and embrace. We cannot imagine a salvation which we do not deserve or earn. We cannot imagine forgiveness without making sacrifices or groveling before God. We cannot fathom a love that would suffer death for us, so that we can come before God as unblemished children. The greatness of God's power is that He chooses us worthy and by His Grace we are saved!
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