"How to Be Strengthened with Might"

 

Ephesians 3:16-19 "That HE would grant you, according to the riches of HIS glory, to be strengthened with might by HIS SPIRIT in the inner man; that CHRIST may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of CHRIST, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of GOD."

     Notice the first verse of our text; the Apostle prays that GOD would grant the believers a full measure of the HOLY SPIRIT's power. Consider the fact that he does not pray for them to be given the ability to work miracles or heal the sick. Rather, he requests the internal working of the SPIRIT whereby they would be strengthened in the inner man (v.16). It takes the mighty power of GOD to produce the gentle and peaceable fruit of the SPIRIT (Ephesians 5:9 cf. pictured above; Galatians 5:22-26 pictured below). Prayer is essential in order to abundantly bring forth such godly fruit. We cannot do it by our own self-efforts.

     Next, Paul prays for steadfastness in the faith, which is so sorely needed if we are to withstand the fiery darts of the adversary. Once again, it takes the HOLY SPIRIT's enabling in order for us to "hold fast" (2nd.Timothy 1:13-14 pictured below). "That CHRIST may dwell in your hearts by faith" (v.17) speaks of the walk in the SPIRIT whereby the believer maintains daily communion with his LORD, uninterrupted by harbored sin or a willful spirit. If we are to be rooted, grounded, and established in the faith, then GOD's grace must be fully operative in our heart. But keep in mind that all of these blessings are integrally linked to regular, believing, intercessory prayer. The Apostle Paul realized this fact. Do we ?

     Finally, Paul prays that they might comprehend the vastness of CHRIST's love and experience the very "fulness of GOD" (vv.18-19). Is the Apostle Paul referring here to the so-called "charismatic gifts" ? Absolutely not ! GOD's fullness is for the one who is obedient to the WORD and yielded to the SPIRIT; this taps into the power of GOD, which can make every believer what HE wants him to be - like HIS SON, JESUS CHRIST. DWC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

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