The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Ephesians 1:13-19a,
"And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory. For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God's people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe."
"And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory. For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God's people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe."
There is so much in this passage that is amazing. Here Paul speaks of the embrace of the gospel message by these Ephesian believers. How they were now sealed by the Holy Spirit, the very same thing that has happened to us believers today.
What captures my eye this morning is the excitement Paul had for these believers. He says that since he had heard about their faith in Jesus Christ, he had not stopped thanking God, and that he always remembered them in his prayers. As a result he continued to pray for wonderful things for them. Paul had an unbounded love for these believers! He also speaks of their love "for all God's people."
Paul, full of the Holy Spirit in his heart, truly had a love for others. That love is found in so many expressions in his writings. I also have to think that a part of the love he had for other believers is that as the church grew, Paul rejoiced in his heart over the fulfillment of God's redemptive purposes. Paul really loved what God was doing in the hearts and lives of others.
As I think about Paul, and the love of these Ephesian believers, it causes me to think about my own outlook toward other believers today. Do I cherish my brothers and sisters in Christ? Does it drive me to pray continually for them, asking God for the wonderful things in their lives that the Holy Spirit can bring?
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
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Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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