I ask God from the wealth of his glory to give you power through his Spirit to be strong in your inner selves, and I pray that Christ will make his home in your hearts through faith. I pray that you may have your roots and foundation in love, so that you, together with all God’s people, may have the power to understand how broad and long, how high and deep, is Christ’s love. Yes, may you come to know his love—although it can never be fully known—and so be completely filled with the very nature of God. To him who by means of his power working in us is able to do so much more than we can ever ask for, or even think of: to God be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus for all time, forever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:16-21 (GNB)
As I read this beautiful prayer this morning, I was struck by verse 19, especially the last phrase, “and so be completely filled with the very nature of God.” I’m sure Paul knew that we were already re-created with God’s nature. I know and regularly profess that I have the nature of God. He is love, life, light, and truth. I have His nature, so that is who I am also. The problem I run into is in those moments when my thinking and emotions don’t seem to be up to speed on the new nature thing. A thought pops in of someone who hurt me, and love is not my first response. I remember something stupid I did, and I have a “you idiot!” moment. A twinge of anxiety accompanies some physical hiccup. You know what I mean.
In his prayer, Paul is not saying that my nature isn’t changed, but he is indicating that there is room for growth, in allowing that nature to overtake my whole being, allowing who I am in spirit to flood through my mind, will, and emotions. Knowing the love of Christ is the fountain from which this fulness flows. Not knowing about the love of Christ, but knowing His love in a way that transcends mental understanding. This kind of knowing requires revelation, a work of the Spirit in my spirit. When my heart grasps the love of Christ words are fruitless, fear is powerless, hate is impossible, and shame is swept away. I am flooded with Him.
Join me as we pray this prayer for one another: “Father, from the wealth of your glory, give power to ____________________ through your Spirit to be strong in the inner self, ….” You get the idea.
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