Do you ever pray that your eyes will be opened to God's Word, Will, and way of life? I hope you do. The scripture above is taken from a prayer of Paul for the church in Ephesus. Notice he first prays that the eyes of their understanding or hearts be opened. THIS IS FOR SPIRITUAL UNDERSTANDING! Understanding of what? Consider what Paul has said thus far in this first chapter of Ephesians… God, by his wonderful grace and mercy, has blessed us because before the foundation of the world he intended that through His Son’s blood the Church would be redeemed and their sins forgiven. He also sent His Spirit to seal us and if we have His Spirit in us, by abiding in His son, guarantees us like a down payment or deposit that He is preparing a great place for His prepared people!!!
Notice Paul mentions "the riches of His inheritance" in this verse as well. What are these "riches?" “Riches” should be understood basically as not cash or gold but VALUABLE BESTOWMENT! Rom 2:4
Paul wants God’s people to understand the glorious ABUNDANCE in which the church is entitled! A child receives his father’s inheritance. We said a few weeks ago that our inheritance is eternal life or the resurrection reserved for us in heaven! We are made rich through Christ! 2Co 8:9
I hope the church today realizes the riches of the world come nowhere near the riches that are available through Christ! MAY WE NEVER PUT WORLDLY RICHES!
ILLUS In 1986 the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded after approximately 73 seconds of flight. 7 lives were lost that day. Do you know why? An engineering firm knew the rubber gaskets would not work in the cold temps of the AM launch. When NASA voiced displeasure in hearing this the managers of that Engineering firm understood that as a lost multi-million dollar contract. NASA , under scrutiny for this launch being delayed several times used worldly riches to get what they wanted… A LAUNCH! We must understand the riches God gives us today!!
May we all pray that we continually have our eyes opened to see the work of our Lord in our lives. Rom 8:28
WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?
Hear The Word- Rom 10:17; Acts 4:4
We Must Believe or Have Faith- Heb 11:6; Acts 16:31
We Must Repent- Lk 13:3; Acts 17:30
We Must Confess Christ Before Others- Mt 10:32; Acts 8:37
We Must Be Immersed Into Christ (Baptized)- 1Pe 3:21; Mk 16:16; Acts 2:38
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