A Word for Today | Ephesians 1:18-20
When Judah’s last king was taken in chains to Babylon, Zedekiah might have consoled himself on the sights of the world’s most spectacular city. The problem was, however, that after being captured his eyes had been poked out, leaving him in a grim, dreary darkness. The Bible teaches that this is how most people live with respect to the City of God, which is why Paul prays that “having the eyes of your hearts enlightened” (Eph. 1:18) we might inwardly know the treasures God had given.
Paul goes on to highlight these blessings, using three statements that use the word “what.” He first wants us to know “what is the hope to which he has called you” (Eph. 1:18). For most people, the word hope means little more than a feeble optimism. But the hope that Paul mentions is a mighty certainty of things looked for though not yet experienced. In particular, he wants our hope to grasp God’s effectual calling, which marks the beginning of every believer’s salvation in the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit. Just as God called Abraham from his life as a pagan idolater (Jos. 24:2), He has called us out of the darkness of sin to walk before Him in faith. Do you realize the hope that you have because you were called by God’s grace to faith? You have the hope of eternal life in Christ, since “the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable” (Rom. 11:29).
Paul wants our hearts to see, second, “what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints” (Eph. 1:18). Our “calling” refers to the beginning of salvation, and our “inheritance” refers to its destination with Christ in heaven. Paul reminds us that our inheritance is to spiritual riches above. Our future is rich in glory, just as Daniel 12:3 says that believers “shall shine like the brightness of the sky above.” As an inheritance attained for us by Christ, our future is secure. We share this inheritance in the saints, meaning we will spend eternity in communion with all the redeemed. Think of the inward joy that comes from worshiping together now on the Lord’s Day, and look with the eyes of your heart on “the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.”
Third, Paul wants our hearts to see “what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe” (Eph. 1:19). Now he refers to the present Christian life. We have in Christ a power for godly living that is far greater than most believers know. It is immeasurable and great because it is his power toward us. The power available to us now is the very power that God “worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places” (Eph. 1:19-20). In other words, the power available to us now is the power God worked when He raised Jesus from the grave. Our power is not like Christ’s resurrection power; it is Christ’s resurrection power. If only we knew what God will do in and through us when we pray in Christ’s name, by the Holy Spirit, our hearts would see what is possible for a believer. What a great hope in our calling! What great riches in our inheritance! What great power in Christ!
In Christ’s Love,
Pastor Phillips