Inviting
the Holy Spirit Into Our Hearts
[Ephesians
chapter three]
Last
week as we concluded chapter two of the Book of Ephesians, the
apostle Paul had just concluded his comments regarding the status of
everyone who believes in Jesus Christ and follows his commandments.
All are “fellow citizens and members of God's household”. In 21st
century terms, we have all been legally adopted into the Family of
God, having become permanent members. As we study chapter three
today, we find as we would expect, which is Paul taking up where he
left off, beginning in verse one of chapter 3.
“For
this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you
Gentiles: Surely you have heard about the administration of God's
grace that was given to me for you, that is, the mystery made known
to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. In reading
this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the
mystery of Christ, which was not made known to men in other
generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy
apostles and prophets. This mystery is that through the Gospel the
Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one
body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.”
(Ephesians 3, verses 1-6, NIV)
The
apostle Paul's reference to being a prisoner is historically very
accurate, since he was appealing a court decision against him that
ultimately resulted in his execution (see the book of Acts, chapters
23-28). When he refers to his “revelation”, he is writing of his
conversion experience on the road to Damascus as it is recounted in
the book of Acts, chapter nine. After Paul's conversion he
immediately began preaching and teaching about the salvation of
Christ. At first he preached mainly to a Jewish audience since that
was Paul's heritage, only to find himself soundly rejected and even
vilified by his peers. After putting up with this, probably for
longer than he should have, Paul decides to write off his Jewish
peers and former friends and begins preaching to non-Jews, or
Gentiles, instead (see Acts chapter 18, verses 5-6). Prior to this,
having anything to do with Gentiles is beyond the scope of Paul's
experience, and this tradition continues within the Jewish nation to
this day. I would compare Paul's ministry in his lifetime with that
of a Rabbi showing up in the studio audience of a televangelist on
Christian TV. But that is the very essence of the “Mystery of
Christ” that Paul writes about, “through
the Gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members
together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ
Jesus”.
“Sharers in the promise” means that the free salvation of Jesus
Christ is available to everyone on an equal basis. I will mention a
little more about the Biblical concept of equality in just a minute.
Bearing that in mind, let's continue now beginning at verse 7.
“I
became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me
through the working of His power. Although I am less than the least
of all God's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the
Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make plain to
everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was
kept hidden in God, who created all things. His intent was that now,
through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known
to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to
his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.
In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and
confidence. I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my
sufferings for you, which are your glory.” (Ephesians 3, verses
7-13, NIV)
Paul's
reference to being “less
than the least of all God's people”
reflects his life before being chosen by the Holy Spirit to preach to
the Gentiles. This was a time prior to Paul's conversion when he was
still known by his original name 'Saul', a time when he actively and
zealously persecuted the early Church. The Bible even recounts Saul's
direct participation in the stoning death of Stephen as it is told in
Acts chapter 7, verses 54-60, concluding in chapter 8, verses 1-3. He
provides to the church the definition of his ministry as he sees it,
which is “to
preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ”.
Remember that back in Paul's time the whole idea of a Jew preaching
the Gospel to a non-Jewish audience was very radical stuff and
completely out of the ordinary. This was something that just wasn't
done back in those days, it was virtually unheard of. But Paul taught
correctly that the “riches of Christ” are available to anyone who
wants it, and all without cost or preset conditions. This sacred
concept of unconditional equality, first taught by the leadership and
perfect example of Christ, is present throughout the four gospels,
the book of Acts and most of Paul's writings, among others. Paul sums
it up by writing, “In
him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and
confidence.”
Only through Jesus can anyone even dare to approach God, but the good
news is that through Jesus we most certainly can. And if we can all
do this through Christ, how much more is there that we can do? The
answer is that the sky is the limit (provided we do not sin), just as
Paul wrote in another one of his letters to the church that we will
study later, “I
can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me”.
And now let's conclude today's lesson beginning at verse 14.
“For
this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his entire family in
heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious
riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your
inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.
And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have
power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and
high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that
surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all
the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more
than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work in
us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout
all generations, forever and ever! Amen.” (Ephesians 3, verses
14-21, NIV)
What
a magnificent piece of prose these final seven verses of chapter
three are! Paul was clearly a well educated man, and a better writer
than he gave himself credit for. I have always wondered if this was
the original ending of Paul's letter to the church at Ephesus, only
to add chapters 4-6 on second thought before sending off his letter
which later became a part of the New Testament as we know it today.
I'm no Bible scholar, having never attended any seminaries (Jesus is
my teacher!), so I can't say for sure. This may be one bit of church
history that has been lost to the ages. Dear old Paul summarizes his
thoughts with, “… I
pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power,
together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and
deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses
knowledge...”. This
is what happens when any person allows themselves to walk in the Holy
Spirit, possessing the internal dwelling of that same Spirit in their
hearts, souls and minds. We find ourselves running right into the
unfathomable love of Christ, a love that is beyond human
comprehension. Jesus once said, “No
eye has seen, and no ear has heard, of the wonderful things God has
in store for those who love him”.
This is exactly what the apostle Paul was referring to when he wrote
those words, in spite of the fact that he had never heard them
himself. That's the Holy Spirit at work. He does the same for me
whenever I ask – provided my intentions are good – and He is more
than willing to do the same for you. If you have never asked that of
Jesus before, why not pause right now and ask him for the indwelling
of the Holy Spirit? Go ahead, you'll be glad you did. And if nothing
happens right away, do not be concerned. I waited 16 years for the
baptism of the Holy Spirit, which takes one's walk with Christ to a
whole new level. But the first step is to invite the Holy Spirit of
Jesus to enter your heart, and to live there from now on. You can be
sure of that prayer being answered first. You know, Jesus is
returning soon. The time to begin getting ready for His return is
right now. Go ahead and ask him into your heart today. You'll be glad
you did!
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