Ephesians 1:11-23
In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; this is the pledge of our inheritance towards redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory.
Paul’s Prayer
I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love towards all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. God put this power to work 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, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
Reflection
I don't think any of us have any clue as to what God has graciously given to us through Jesus Christ. We may have some idea, we may have some hint, but I don't think our minds can expand enough to grasp the fullness or even the richness of this Love we have been given in Jesus. We tend to think of those believers who have passed as being saints. But really all believers are God's saints. Saints in heavenly places in relationship with God. But as we are today, saints upon this earth, the full glory of God isn't fully understood by us. We look to the hope and joy of what is yet to be fulfilled in our eternal lives. We trust in what God has promised and we live for our God because we could do nothing else in our faith. We live for God in wait and knowing that here in this earthly home we are only for a visit until we go home to be with God and all the saints. Yes we live as one in the here and now. We commune with the saints of all times and all places. But all of this is only a small taste of God's glory.
So, how do we come to faith in God? We hear the Word. We listen to the truth of the gospel. We accept what we have heard. We are sealed with the promise that God has made to all people. In baptism we are sealed with the cross of Christ forever. God claims us even before we can know anything. That's the gracious gift of love God gives to all people of all races and throughout all time. We belong to God and we witness to this belonging to God and this gospel message to all that God gives to us. We are bold to proclaim and pray to God and for one another. We pray for everyone, lost and forgotten, poor and sick, rich and poor, believers and unbelievers. All people are offered this free and gracious gift of God through Jesus.
Through our baptism and proclamation of faith we follow in Jesus' way. We become disciples of Jesus. We grow daily in truth and understanding. We fall before our God in repentance and forgiveness. We forgive those who have wronged us and seek unity in the love of the Spirit. And we use the gifts of the Spirit towards the calling we have received from God.
In all of this we pray and give thanks to God for what God has done. We pray for all people and give thanks for God's gift of Jesus into the lives and into the world for all. Our desire is that all people will become disciples of Jesus and follow in the way of the Spirit. Our desire is the fullness of that of which we only have a hint of in God. Our desire is for all people to be saints of God, here and into eternity.
Yes, I think we only have a hint, we only have a clue, we only have a glimpse of the fullness of God's grace. To be filled with Christ is for me, for you and for the Church. That's more than enough for me or for you or for anyone. It's way more than enough! Thanks be to God!
Prayer
Gracious and loving God, you are more than enough for me. Just a drop of your grace, your Word, your love draws me out. Lead me as I proclaim your Gospel and live the life you direct me to live, using the gifts you have graciously given so that all the world may know of Jesus... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen
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