In the Knowledge of Him – Ephesians 1:15-23

In this passage, Paul lets the people of God in Ephesus know he is praying for them. He doesn’t pray that God gives them more grace, faith, love, hope or anything else we might think of as gifts from God. And, he sure doesn’t pray that God bless them with health, wealth or happiness.

These are people who are IN CHRIST. In the Beloved, they have been adopted, redeemed and forgiven. They have moved from a place of being spiritually dead, spiritually lost and spiritually condemned to life and holiness in Christ.

Paul prays that God gives them “a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him.” It’s as if he is saying, “God, please help them understand what it means to be in Christ.” In Christ there is nothing else we need from him.

We may need to rely on him more. We may need to follow him more closely. We may need to think more like He thinks, but we don’t need more of him. “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,” (1 Peter 1:3)

Do you live a life without needs? Are you IN CHRIST? If you are, you only need to realize you have no needs in him.

Paul prays the eyes of their hearts would be enlightened, so they would understand the hope of the inheritance. In the first century, “the eyes of the heart” would have meant the mind. For us, the heart tends to represent our emotions and feelings. For the first century person, feelings and emotions were from the stomach or loins.

This is an important distinction. Think about where most of our perceived needs come from. “I need a new job – because I don’t feel appreciated here.” Even in the spiritual realm, I know I’ve told God I need to hear from him – because I didn’t feel his presence in my life right then.

Paul doesn't pray that they feel like they are in Christ. He prays for their minds. If our minds are truly focused on what we do have in him, our feelings will be kept in check more easily.

Grow in your knowledge of him

If we understand that in Christ we already have everything we need for life and godliness, and we understand the hope of our future, what really matters in this life? If you don’t have the house you want in this life, didn't He still go to prepare a place for you in his Father’s house? If you have a terminal illness (and in truth, we are all terminal), didn't He promise you eternal life? If so, what is your need?

Paul also prays that they would understand “what is the immeasurable greatness of his power towards us who believe according to the working of his great might that He worked in Christ when He raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places far above all rule and authority and power and dominion.”

Sometimes we act like, “Oh, is that all?” Seriously. How great is his power? You can’t measure it!

But He used that power to defeat death and seat Christ above every other power of every kind. And, are you ready?...YOU ARE IN CHRIST! That means you are already seated in a position of power over every other power that exists, except the immeasurable greatness of his power.

And that’s the power that works in you both to will and to work for his good pleasure (Phil. 3:13). Are you truly living in the knowledge of him? If not, I pray that the eyes of your heart will be enlightened to who you are in Christ.