Christ lived in a time of political occupation and suppression. His message: be reconciled to God and live a life that reflects His love. That’s the message I seek to deliver each day.
Today, we pick up in the 3rd chapter of Ephesians. Paul is about to pray another prayer for all of us.
I first became familiar with this prayer in 1980. Back then I read it every day as part of my daily meditation in God’s word. I didn’t continue reading it daily but I’ve probably read it over 14000 times and each time I come away with a greater understanding of God’s love for each of us.
I personalize it using my name and first person pronouns. I encourage you to do the same.
“12 In Christ we come before God with freedom and without fear. We can do this because of our faith in Christ. 13 So I ask you not to be discouraged…14 So I bow in prayer before the Father. 15 Every family in heaven and on earth gets its true name from him. 16 I ask the Father with his great glory to give you the power to be strong in your spirits. He will give you that strength through his Spirit. 17 I pray that Christ will live in your hearts because of your faith. I pray that your life will be strong in love and be built on love. 18 And I pray that you and all God’s holy people will have the power to understand the greatness of Christ’s love—how wide, how long, how high, and how deep that love is. 19 Christ’s love is greater than anyone can ever know, but I pray that you will be able to know that love. Then you can be filled with everything God has for you.
20 With God’s power working in us, he can do much, much more than anything we can ask or think of. 21 To him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus for all time, forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 12-21 ERV
It’s vitality important that we realize we have been invited to come into God’s presence in freedom and without fear. His message to us is to come boldly to His throne and find help in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)
When we come… we will receive power to strengthen our spirit. Christ came boldly in the Garden of Gethsemane the night of His betrayal. How much more important is it for us to come and find strength in our times of need.
When we come… Christ lives in our hearts and He fills us with His love.
To understand the depth, width and breadth of the love of God is almost incomprehensible. But, when we look at the life of Christ we see how God’s love was manifest on a daily basis. To the leper, the harlot, the tax collector, the hypocrites, the accusers and the murderers.
His love is unconditional; it is given freely to everyone who comes to receive. It is greater than we can know intellectually however, we can know it by experience.
Why does God want us to know this great love?
Then you can be filled with everything God has for you. 20 With God’s power working in us, he can do much, much more than anything we can ask or think of.”
And then, God receives glory for His loving kindness and more are drawn into relationship with Him.
His love produces a mighty power within us!
