Ephesians 3:16-19
That according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith–that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
What of Today’s Verse…
For those who are wondering how to be filled with the Spirit, the prayer in Ephesians 3 offers excellent insight. The precise relevance of this passage for our present subject is obvious, when the concluding purpose of the prayer is noted: “that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”
The opening phrases use the language of grace: “That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory.” Grace is about God at work, giving us blessings we cannot deserve. These blessings are in proportion to His glorious spiritual riches. This perspective fits our studies on the Spirit perfectly, because when the Holy Spirit is at work, He pours out God’s grace.
The initial request pertains to an inner working of the Spirit: “to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man.” Note, this request is made on behalf of those who already have the Spirit residing in their hearts. The specific issue is about receiving new measures of spiritual power at the core of our being.
The desired result of this work of the Spirit is “that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.” Jesus is present in the heart of every believer. Here, He is being asked to settle down fully and make Himself at home. Jesus is being given free rein to rearrange our innermost being to fit His good pleasure. Allowing Jesus to rule our hearts requires the empowering work of the Holy Spirit to break past spiritual obstacles such as apathy, fear, self-focus, and temptations. To allow Jesus to lead us in His way, we need the Holy Spirit enabling us to stay in God’s word, to pray without ceasing, to worship daily, and to fellowship regularly.
Then, as Jesus rearranges our inner life, He wants to anchor every aspect of our lives in God’s love: “that you, being rooted and grounded in love.” With this, He wants to us to experience the dimensions of His love, which are beyond mere head knowledge: “to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height — to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge.” This Holy Spirit process is always leading to more spiritual fullness: “that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”
Let us Pray
Dear Father in heaven, I humbly cry out to You every word of this majestic prayer. I earnestly desire the reality of its every implication, all by your Holy Spirit, Amen.
Words of Wisdom
Prayer
As I turn my thoughts to God, my life becomes a prayer.
I do not need to go away to a mountaintop or seclude myself in a sacred place to spend time in prayer. I need only to turn my thoughts inward and open my mind and heart to God. In this way, I make whatever I am doing a prayer.
As I prepare a meal, I am grateful for the food, and as I clean my house, I am grateful for the restful haven it provides me. As I walk in the park, I feel a sense of oneness with all life in the world around me. As I go through my workday, I am God’s instrument of good in the world, and what I do and say is an expression of God.
The more I turn my thoughts to God, the more my life becomes a prayer.
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”–1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
