Knowing What We Don’t Know
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.” Ephesians 1:17 NIV
There is a saying, “you don’t know what you don’t know.” In other words, some insight comes with a willingness to learn and an openness to understand. As Paul writes to the Ephesians he gives thanks to God for them and then offers a prayer that they would have “supernatural revelation” of what Christ has done for them and their position in Christ.
The question I have is, “Do we fully understand the magnitude of what God has done for us through Christ and what that means for our life?” Paul says, we need to “know him better.” He goes on an give some specifics. His prayer is for “enlightened eyes” to know…
“…The hope to which he has called you…
….the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people,
….and his incomparably great power for us who believe.” (Ephesians 1:18,19 NIV)
It seems many can be even cavalier about heaven and their eternal destiny. Many take the prospects of an eternity in God’s presence as the “default” for people regardless of their faith or spiritual commitment. Then there are those that possess what I call an “eternal insecurity.” They are so uncertain about their eternal destiny that don’t live with the confidence, assurance and hope that Christ has called us to.
Peter picks up this theme when he writes, “he [Christ] has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading…” (1 Peter 1:3,4 ESV)
Paul goes on and says we need “enlightened eyes” to understand the “riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people.” An inheritance is received upon the death of the benefactor. Through Christ’s death on the cross, we already possess an “inheritance” from the riches of God’s grace.
Then Paul talks about Christ’s “incomparably great power for us who believe.” This is explained as “resurrection power.” “That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms…” (Ephesians 1:19,20 NIV)
With that kind of power working for us and through us, we can observe that we more often than not live below the provisions of what the Lord has made available to us.
These verses a words that are easy to read but difficult to grasp. I am challenged by Paul’s prayer for “enlightened eyes.” May we continue to seek for greater revelation and insight, awe and wonder in what God has done for us through Christ.
Prayer for today… Lord, allow our eyes to be enlightened and help our minds and hearts to grasp the wonders of Your grace and power that has brought us spiritual life and hope. May we not take for granted or oversimplify all that You have done and what we have in You.