Jump Start # 636

Ephesians 1:18-19 “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might.”

Our passage today is so typical of the beauty found in Ephesians. It is rich with great expressions and insights. Paul was wanting the brethren to see three powerful lessons about Christ.

(1) the hope of His calling.  It is not our calling, but His calling that Paul had in mind. His calling is Jesus. Christ came on a mission. He came at a specific time for a specific purpose. The hope of His calling refers to the salvation of the world. Jesus came to seek and save the lost.

(2) the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints. That is a full statement. Many key words here: riches, glory, inheritance. Sanctified, redeemed and Heaven bound are the characteristics of God’s people. These words highlight the best that comes to the saints. Inheritance belongs to those who are in the family—here, the family of God. It is a rich inheritance. It isn’t less than we hoped for, it is more than we expected. The inheritance is more than living forever. It is more than going to Heaven. It is being with God. It is being in the family of God. It is fellowship and connection with the God of Heaven.

(3) The surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. The emphasis is upon Hs power. It is by His power that the world came to be. His power separated water, opened the earth, stopped the sun, crumbled walls, protected His people and sent foreign armies to flight. His power restored crippled legs, sight to the blind and life to the dead. There is no power greater than His power. His power is amazing. This power is toward us who believe. God works with us and through us and in us. In the early days of the church, God’s power allowed the saints to do miracles. God’s power does even greater things. The gospel is God’s power unto salvation. God’s word changes lives. It can lead a selfish man to become thoughtful, compassionate and generous. It can lead a drunk to stop drinking. It can lead an immoral man to become holy. It is amazing what God’s power can do.

These thoughts begin with Paul’s prayer. He prayed that the “eyes of their heart may be enlightened.” Eyes of the heart—Paul wanted them to see, not just with their physical eyes, but through their heart, through their spiritual heart, these truths.

Eyes that do not see, will not experience the spiritual freedom found in Christ. Eyes that do not see will not understand nor grasp the glory, power and hope that is found in Christ. Eyes that do not see, will not change. They will see religion as “nice,” but not necessary. They will try to find God on their terms, and only when they need Him. They will miss out. They will live without hope, glory and power.

Satan tries to cover our eyes. He doesn’t want you to know these things about Christ. He longs for you to close your eyes to the truth and return to your sinful ways. Paul’s prayer was that all would see. What a joy it is being a Christian! Christ offers things that can be found no where else. There is nothing that equals, nor replaces what Jesus is.

Sometimes we forget these things. We complain and grumble about things down at the church house. We get feeling a bit selfish and self centered. We get busy with the things of this life and forget the surpassing glory, the awesome hope and the incredible power of our Lord, Jesus Christ. This world has never been the same since He first spoke about the kingdom of Heaven. Thousands, world-wide, have bowed their knees to this Jesus. Literature, art, and even how we designate years are all influenced by the presence of our Lord. To deny He ever existed is to be a fool. To live without Him is to be ignorant. To follow Him is to know these wonderful truths that Paul shared with the world—His hope, His glory, His power.

Are you glad you are a Christian today? Have you told God that? He adopted us when we weren’t very pretty. He took us in when we had nothing to offer Him. He loved us, shaped us, forgave us, equipped us, included us and now labors with us. It’s great being a Christian.

Roger