“Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints (16) cease not to give thanks for you — making mention of you – in my prayers; (17) that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him (18) the eyes of your understanding being enlightened – that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and what (are) the riches of His glory of the inheritance in the saints. (19) And what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe- – according to the working of His mighty power (20) which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and set Him at His own right hand in heavenly places (21) far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion – and every name that is named – not only in this world, but also in that which is to come (22) and hath put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be the head over all things to the church, (23) which is His body – the fulness of Him that filleth all in all!” [Eph.1:15-23]
This section of scripture, among other things, gives unto us the true method, message and maintenance of genuine and Holy Spirit effective evangelism. The method is the bold heralding forth of the announcement of the pure truth of the everlasting gospel of God’s great grace (Rev.14:6). Once evidence is seen that the message has been favorably received – genuine evangelism follows up with Spirit led prayer. The first chapter of the epistle of Ephesians – from verses 3 through 14 — succinctly describes the pure truth concerning God’s message of eternal salvation by God’s grace, alone, through the person and work, alone, of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is dogmatically declared to be “according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace…” (vs.5-6); and, again, from vs.7 – it is descriptively declared that our eternal redemption is entirely “according to the riches of His grace”. And, because the apostle Paul had heard that God’s grace had been effectually bestowed upon the Ephesians – resulting in their truly believing in the Lord Jesus, and which in turn resulted in the love that they were displaying unto all the saints – he did not, nor could not – cease to lift them up to the Lord God in his earnest prayers! This is the Holy Spirit-led maintenance that descriptively marks a vital part of the true evangelistic process. And, just exactly what is it that Paul was specifically led to pray that God would do for them?
He prayed that God – the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ — the incarnated eternal Son of God – would give unto the grace-blessed Ephesian believers the Holy Spirit of “wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him”. “Wisdom”, to walk through the maze of trials in this fallen-in-sin world (Col.3:15); “Revelation” whereby they would consistently realize the relationship with Christ that they have on a daily, step by step basis (1Jn.1:7); and, “Knowledge” – the full knowledge of our Lord and Savior that we continually grow into according to the sovereign will of God (2Pe.3:18).
Next, Paul’s Spirit-led prayer addresses the illumination of the eyes of their understanding – so that they may know what is the hope of God’s calling into the riches of His holy glorious inheritance in His saints (Col.1:12). As well as, for them to understand what is the exceeding greatness of the power of God’s grace that is bestowed upon us who truly do believe. It is the same glorious and gracious power that God the Father exercised upon His Beloved Son – our blessed Savior – “when He raised Him from the dead and set Him at His own right hand in heavenly places – far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion – and every name that is named – not only in this world, but also in that which is to come – and hath put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be the head over all things to the church – which is His body – the fulness of Him that filleth all and in all!” Amen! Praise His Name! If it’s not all Christ – then it’s all wrong!
For Christ’s Glory Only! -John Carpenter
