That You May Know Hope
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."
After praying that the believers in Ephesus would be given greater knowledge, revelation, and wisdom Paul went on to pray that they would know the hope to which God had called them to have, hope that was based on the glorious inheritance of the saints. Again, Paul was writing about hope while under house arrest in Rome. What was the source of his hope? Was it eventual release from the charges against him, release from his house arrest, or release from his earthly body? Paul likely had some hope in each of these things; yet his greatest hope was always the hope that was set on eternity with the Lord. Paul knew that the trials of this life were insignificant when compared to the eternal rewards promised to believers in Jesus Christ.
Paul longed for these believers to experience hope and joy in their fulfillment of God's call on their lives. As a church, they were entrusted with the greatest treasure - the Gospel of Jesus Christ which was unto their salvation. Their temporal joy would be in walking out God's calling in their lives - to teach, preach, evangelize, and show mercy, hospitality, and grace to one another. Their ultimate hope was that this temporal life, with all of its challenges and joys, was preparing them for that eternal life with Christ.
Hope placed in the Lord would never disappoint, would never fail. That was true for the Ephesian church, and it is true for the church today. May we find our hope in the promises of God!
Reflection:
Do you know this hope that Paul called the Ephesian church to have in Christ? It is available to you today no matter what challenge you may be experiencing. Ask the Lord to open your heart and mind to the hope that he has for you.
After praying that the believers in Ephesus would be given greater knowledge, revelation, and wisdom Paul went on to pray that they would know the hope to which God had called them to have, hope that was based on the glorious inheritance of the saints. Again, Paul was writing about hope while under house arrest in Rome. What was the source of his hope? Was it eventual release from the charges against him, release from his house arrest, or release from his earthly body? Paul likely had some hope in each of these things; yet his greatest hope was always the hope that was set on eternity with the Lord. Paul knew that the trials of this life were insignificant when compared to the eternal rewards promised to believers in Jesus Christ.
Paul longed for these believers to experience hope and joy in their fulfillment of God's call on their lives. As a church, they were entrusted with the greatest treasure - the Gospel of Jesus Christ which was unto their salvation. Their temporal joy would be in walking out God's calling in their lives - to teach, preach, evangelize, and show mercy, hospitality, and grace to one another. Their ultimate hope was that this temporal life, with all of its challenges and joys, was preparing them for that eternal life with Christ.
Hope placed in the Lord would never disappoint, would never fail. That was true for the Ephesian church, and it is true for the church today. May we find our hope in the promises of God!
Reflection:
Do you know this hope that Paul called the Ephesian church to have in Christ? It is available to you today no matter what challenge you may be experiencing. Ask the Lord to open your heart and mind to the hope that he has for you.
No Comments