Ephesians 1:18-19, “I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called – his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.” NLT
Paul wrote the book of Ephesians to the church at Ephesus and to the neighboring churches while he was in prison in Rome. Paul’s purpose was to encourage and strengthen them in their needy days. It is a letter of practical application lived out by Paul. Paul states in Ephesians 1:11, “Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.” Paul taught of God’s high sovereignty, which has purpose, power, grace, and the glory of Christ. Paul gives insight into the process of sanctification, and he wrote all of this from prison in Rome.
Do you really know Him? Do you know your cure for loneliness is His omnipresence? God’s presence is more important than any other person we might want to be with. Paul prayed for the people to know God better. Talking to God in prayer and reading His Word is how we get to know God more intimately. He will transform your life and change your way of thinking, as Romans 12:2 declares, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
What do you think about the most throughout your day? What if you focused on the gospel, on living a cross-centered life? Do you think of the cross more than just at Easter time? Leave your luggage at His feet. Move into the vast mystery of the love Christ has for you. Do you understand God’s power? That power helps us grow, change, and love others better. There is resurrection power living inside you to help you overcome whatever difficulties come your way. As Paul teaches, the same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead lives in you, as a Christian, and is a means of making you an instrument of godly Christ-like change, not only in yourself, but by your influence in not being overcome by any evil, due to your faith in God, as Psalm 112:9b states, “Their good deeds will be remembered forever. They will have influence and honor.” There is never a power shortage or outage in the Christian life due to Christ’s work on the cross, raising Him above all demonic foes and potential enemies of all time. Christ is above all and is now seated at the right hand of God (Eph. 1:20).
The Message says Ephesians 1:18-19 this way, “I ask – ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory – to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him – endless energy, boundless strength!”
Listen to Matthew West – The Last Song (Official Music Video).