Have you ever had the experience of someone showing you a feature on your tablet or smart phone and exclaiming, “I had no idea it could do that!” When I use my smart phone I realize that there is a vast iceberg of technology below the surface that I have no idea about. The more we learn about our smart phone then the more we’re able to maximize its benefits. There is a similar parallel in our spiritual walk. The Apostle Paul wanted the early Christians to realize the spiritual blessings they have from being in Christ. (You may want to see my post entitled Are you experiencing the joy of salvation? for an enumeration of your spiritual blessings.)

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might (Ephesians 1:18-19)

Notice the content of Paul’s prayer in this passage. First, he prays that they would know their position in Christ – God has called them and that should give them great hope. We may think that God calls the best and the brightest but as we read the Bible, we discover that He doesn’t call the qualified but He qualifies the called. God called Gideon, the least and the youngest in his family to deliver Israel from the Midianites. God called David, bypassing his older brothers, to be the next king. God has called you, with all of your failures and weaknesses, to bear fruit for Him. Jesus gives us this promise,

You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you. (John 15:16)

You must not only realize the hope of your calling, but also your possessions in Christ. Do you realize what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints? The word “riches” occurs more times in the book of Ephesians than in any other New Testament book. You have an amazing spiritual inheritance and when we talk about an inheritance my motto is “Where there’s a will – I want to be in it it!” Are you cashing in on your spiritual riches or are you living in spiritual poverty? Look at Paul’s testimony a few chapters later,

To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ,  (Ephesians 3:8)

Finally, do you know your power in Christ? Paul prays that they would know the surpassing greatness of His power in their lives. He is referring to the resurrection power that raised Christ from the dead. That same power is available to you and me today. You may be asking, “Why am I not experiencing that power in my life?” Sometimes we get in the way and rely upon our strength rather than the power of God. I must ensure that I am a clean vessel that God can flow through,

Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.  (2 Timothy 2:21)

Don’t let unbelief keep you blinded to the blessings that you have in Christ. There is a story in the Old Testament about the king of Aram who was warring against Israel and He was upset because the king of Israel knew of his plans. The king was enraged and called his servants and said to them, “Will you tell me which of us is for the king of Israel?” One of his servants said, “No, my lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom.” So the king sent horses and chariots and a great army there, and they came by night and surrounded the city. Elisha’s servant went out and saw an army with horses and chariots was circling the city and he cried out to Elisha, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” Elisha responded with faith enabling his servant to see with spiritual eyes,,

So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” And the Lord opened the servant’s eyes and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. (2 Kings 6:16-17)

May you see with spiritual eyes.

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Chu,rch at LifePark

Professor of Discipleship, Columbia International University

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