FROM THE SERVANT GENERAL
OUR THEME FOR 2023
(Part 10)
STRENGTHENED WITH POWER
October 20, 2022
Today’s reading: Ephesians 3:14-21
Paul prays for the Ephesians that they would deepen their understanding of God’s plan of salvation. This is founded on a basic reality and hope, “that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you (are) rooted and grounded in love” (v.17). Faith and love. We are to put our faith in Jesus, and we are to love him and to proclaim that love to others. We are to be firm in faith and founded on love.
God is love, and love is of God. The Father sent the Son out of love. The Son offered himself out of love. This sacrifice is beyond human understanding. In faith, we get “to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge” (v.19a). As we continue on and grow firm in faith, we receive the “strength to comprehend with all the holy ones what is the breadth and length and height and depth” (v.18) of that love.
Such love cannot be contained and must be shared. We share Christ with others. In this, God will “grant you in accord with the riches of his glory to be strengthened with power through his Spirit” (v.16). We continue with the work of Jesus, and as such we will be empowered by him who sends us forth. Firm in faith and founded on love, we will “be filled with all the fullness of God.” (v.19b).
We must have this confidence as we go about God’s work, that He “is able to accomplish far more than all we ask or imagine, by the power at work within us” (v.20). God calls us. God deepens our faith and our love. God empowers us. “To him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” (v.21).
