The Hope to Which He Has Called You
Ephesians 1:16-18: "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."
Writing from his house arrest in Rome, Paul prayed that the church in Ephesus would be further enlightened with the wisdom of the Lord, the revelation of the Lord, and the knowledge of the Lord. Paul did not want this wisdom, revelation, and knowledge to only impact minds but to also impact hearts. Paul knew that the heart was the seat of one's emotions. Thus, Paul prayed that the eyes of their hearts would be enlightened.
At the heart of Paul's prayer for the Ephesian church was that the believers would truly know, know at the core of their being, what Jesus Christ had done for each of them and who they were in him. Jesus laid down his life, took on the wrath of God towards sin, so that these Christian believers could be forgiven, healed, and in relationship with a holy God. Over and over again, Paul uses the words "in Christ." In Christ, these believers had a new lease on life. They were God's redeemed people. As his redeemed people, Paul wanted them to know they were deeply loved and cherished by the Lord. In knowing God's abundant love for them, the believers were motivated to worship, motivated to love each other, and motivated to share the Gospel. Motivation came from knowing they were God's beloved children - accepted, forgiven, healed, and called to give him their very lives.
In the church today, I see many "doers" for the Lord. Often these most active "doers" for the Lord are the ones who become burned out, tired, and depleted. Paul would have us to ask ourselves what motivates our actions. Are we motivated by all that God has done for us and how much he loves us? Or are we motivated by fear, guilt, shame, a need to please, and a desire to earn love and approval? Paul longed that the believers in the church of Ephesus would be moved by gratitude, awe, and a deep sense of being loved.
Paul would want the same for you. What motivates you to worship, to serve, and to love? The Lord has given you everything in his Son. He loves you with a perfect love, and he longs to free your heart from guilt, sin, fear, and shame.
Reflection:
Can you take some quiet time today to allow the Lord to examine your motivations? Also, take some time to allow him to remind you who you are in Christ, how much he values you, and how he longs to do his amazing work in you and through you.
Writing from his house arrest in Rome, Paul prayed that the church in Ephesus would be further enlightened with the wisdom of the Lord, the revelation of the Lord, and the knowledge of the Lord. Paul did not want this wisdom, revelation, and knowledge to only impact minds but to also impact hearts. Paul knew that the heart was the seat of one's emotions. Thus, Paul prayed that the eyes of their hearts would be enlightened.
At the heart of Paul's prayer for the Ephesian church was that the believers would truly know, know at the core of their being, what Jesus Christ had done for each of them and who they were in him. Jesus laid down his life, took on the wrath of God towards sin, so that these Christian believers could be forgiven, healed, and in relationship with a holy God. Over and over again, Paul uses the words "in Christ." In Christ, these believers had a new lease on life. They were God's redeemed people. As his redeemed people, Paul wanted them to know they were deeply loved and cherished by the Lord. In knowing God's abundant love for them, the believers were motivated to worship, motivated to love each other, and motivated to share the Gospel. Motivation came from knowing they were God's beloved children - accepted, forgiven, healed, and called to give him their very lives.
In the church today, I see many "doers" for the Lord. Often these most active "doers" for the Lord are the ones who become burned out, tired, and depleted. Paul would have us to ask ourselves what motivates our actions. Are we motivated by all that God has done for us and how much he loves us? Or are we motivated by fear, guilt, shame, a need to please, and a desire to earn love and approval? Paul longed that the believers in the church of Ephesus would be moved by gratitude, awe, and a deep sense of being loved.
Paul would want the same for you. What motivates you to worship, to serve, and to love? The Lord has given you everything in his Son. He loves you with a perfect love, and he longs to free your heart from guilt, sin, fear, and shame.
Reflection:
Can you take some quiet time today to allow the Lord to examine your motivations? Also, take some time to allow him to remind you who you are in Christ, how much he values you, and how he longs to do his amazing work in you and through you.
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