Wednesday – September 28, 2016
Greetings in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Ready, set, go, let’s get right back into our study from Ephesians.
Ephesians 1:14-16 (KJV)
14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
15 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;
I was talking yesterday about the statement the Apostle Paul made about “love unto all the saints” and what that meant and that it did not include all people. We are to love all people so we knew that the persons addressed although maturing they were not mature. Let’s listen to what Jesus has to say about our love and other people. Remember we are talking about Godly, agape, love (selflessness, Observant of Blood Covenant, and obedience to the Word).
Matthew 5:43-48 (KJV)
43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
His teaching for those gathered that day and us starts off correcting the false teaching by the religious leaders of the day which was that we love those close to us but not our enemies. Verse forty-four above is a verse many would like to remove from the Bible and some have done so in practice. But Jesus said to love our enemies, bless, them do good to them, and pray for them. He is not talking about being a doormat for the world. We are to be a positive influence and presence in their lives empowering them, returning good for evil, praying for them to come to repentance, and praying that God be merciful with them as He was and is with us to this very day. Jesus points out in verse forty-five extraordinary goodness, patience, and mercy of our Father. This brings us to verses forty-six and forty-seven where Jesus says if you love those that love you, how hard is that? Jesus goes on to say be perfect as your Father in Heaven is perfect meaning complete, in this case love both those in the family of God and those without.
Okay, let’s start to take a look at the Apostle Paul’s prayer for this specific group of people at Ephesus.
Ephesians 1:16-18 (KJV)
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 the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
Paul’s first prayer is: “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:” (Ephesians 1:17) The Biblical Numerology of this verse would suggest that we have a responsibility (Ephesians tenth book) to walk as one with God which will bring victory (number seventeen). Okay let’s think about this process. Is this “spirit of wisdom and revelation” just going to fall on these individuals automatically giving them wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him? No, certainly not, that would violate the very basic principle of free-will. These folks are saints (born again), they have been found faithful (trust worthy), and they love the saints. Now it is time for them to move out of immaturity into maturity. To become more mature they and we must diligently purse the knowledge of Him. As they and we pursue this knowledge of our God, prayer with thanksgiving is going to be essential for it to become a reality. Without the Lords’ help we are up the creek with no paddles. The Holy Spirit of God is the spirit of wisdom and revelation.
By: Dr. David Wood, Author, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
