“For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints..." Ephesians 1:15-18
THANKSGIVING/GRATITUDE is based upon the faithfulness and mercies of God in the past; while HOPE is looking towards the future with confidence and joy because of the Abba goodness of the Father, secured by the cross and resurrection of the Son, and applied to our hearts by the Holy Spirit.
In this prayer, Paul rejoices in the mercy of God extended to the believers in Ephesus, their corresponding faith in the Lord Jesus, and love for all the saints. This causes a welling up of thanksgiving in the life of Paul for these people (v. 16).
He also prays for the glorious outpouring of the Spirit of wisdom and revelation so that the eyes of their hearts may be enlightened, which would lead to a growing understanding of the hope of their calling to faith.
“According to the Bible, wisdom starts with ‘the fear of the Lord’ (Proverbs 9:10). It is only found by waiting on him, and looking to him for the knowledge we need. The Holy Spirit helps us obtain this knowledge by giving us the faculty which is essential to understanding the biblical message.” Martyn Lloyd Jones, God’s Ultimate Purpose, p. 356
Knowledge/Enlightenment:
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A knowledge of God that is shared by the devil and his host (James 2:19).
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A knowledge of facts.
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The knowledge whereby the eyes of the heart are (gloriously and joyously) enlightened (Exodus 33:12, Psalm 27:4; 92:10, Philippians 3:10, 13-14, 2 Peter 3:17-1).
“‘Gospel presence…’ by GOSPEL I simply mean the good news that as sinners we are embraced and accepted by God by what Jesus has done for us, by PRESENCE I mean there is a way of being, an orientation to life and reality and others, a fundamental attitude that emanates from the core of who you are that shapes and colors everything you do. The way you carry yourself. The aura you display. The impression you give. That's what I mean by presence. And gospel presence is crucial for creating the right environment for dealing with any sin.” Joe Rigney, More Than a Battle, p. 82-83
“Through your own merciful dealings with me, O Lord my God, tell me what you are to me. Say to my soul, l am your salvation. Say it so that I can hear it. My heart is listening, Lord; open the ears of my heart and say to my soul, I am your salvation. Let me run toward this voice and seize hold of you. Do not hide your face from me: let me die so that I may see it, for not to see it would be death to me indeed.” Confessions by Augustine, 1.1
"Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned." 1 Corinthians 2:12-14
The Hope of Our Calling:
- We are in daily need for the enlightening power of the Holy Spirit.
- We wait upon God with expectation (Isaiah 40:28-31).
- The hope is a call to rejoice in the goodness of our salvation and a call to “not forget nor neglect” (Hebrews 6:10-11).
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This (remembered and rehearsed) calling keeps us fresh, vital, and kingdom-focused.
“It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. WE ARE FAR TOO EASILY PLEASED.” C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory and Other Addresses
QUESTIONS:
- How is Ephesians 1:15-18 a universal prayer for all believers at all times?
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Why is a growing biblical knowledge of the triune God of absolute importance?
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What is “Gospel presence”?
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How does this attitude present itself in our desires and relationships?
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How can we be like people who go to Colorado on vacation and be content to live in the plains without a trip to the Rockies?