August 21, 2017 - In a world overtaken by the devil and sin there is much need for strength for all people to stand against the forces of evil. Much need for all to come together in love for Christ and one another to become the body of Christ as he intended from the beginning of his ministry on earth.
“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith - that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we think or ask, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” (Ephesians 3:14-21)
The prayer for spiritual strength, a pleading to God by Paul for the people of the churches at Ephesus.
Paul had a threefold message or purpose in this prayer, this letter of faith-giving.
First, he wanted to fully expound on the blessings enjoyed by the church.
Second, he stressed the importance of unity in the body of Christ, the church itself, how each should work together with the others.
Third, he was encouraging all believers to walk together in the ways of Christ. For all to be imitators of our Lord, showing his grace and mercy to others in our daily lives.
As with many of his letters to the churches of Asia Minor, Paul was writing during one of his times of imprisonment, imprisoned by the Roman government for preaching the gospel of Christ our Lord.
But, he goes on emboldened by the very gospel message that he was in prison for preaching;
“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, (the gospel) with all humility and gentleness (as Jesus walked) with patience, bearing with one another in love (for Christ and each other) eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:1-3)
It is through this Christian love that we become able to walk together in Christ, to walk in a manner worthy of being imitators of our Lord Jesus. Showing the love of Jesus for all people, showing the Christian attributes that Paul describes in his prayer; humility, gentleness, patience and love. For it is through this Spirit of Christ that we are to be unified in Christ, that we can then become a force for Christ in the world today.
“There is one body and one Spirit - just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call - one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” (Ephesians 4:4-8)
The gospel message is intended to blend all followers of Christ into one body, one giant multitude of people, of like minds, working together for the greater good of all. Spreading the unified message of the love of Christ for all people, Jew and Gentile alike, together, using the God-given talents of each individual for Gods glory.
May Gods blessings be yours this day…
