Ephesians 1:17 (NIV)
a Or a spirit
The Apostle Paul sets many examples for us through descriptions of his actions as conveyed in his letters. There is one behavior though that I note is repeated throughout his writings namely prayer for those to whom he writes. According to his letters he is constantly beseeching God to bless, reveal, strengthen and provide for those to whom he ministered. When I consider the content of Paul's prayers and contrast them to my own, I realize that I'm not paying close enough attention.
In today's study verse we see this pattern of behavior repeated and I am again convicted to 'amp up' my prayer life for my friends. With respect to this verse though, under the overarching theme of constant prayer there are three points which command my attention.
First is the centrality of Jesus Christ. Paul is not praying 'to' Jesus nor is he praying simply to 'God.' Note the ownership implied in his description of to whom he is praying; "the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father..." In this manner, Paul is establishing the relationship of Jesus as 'the Son' and is in effect praying 'through' Jesus to God. He is also establishing the authority of Jesus to identify the true God, the one to whom our prayers should be directed, and he is expressing a yieldedness to Christ in that Paul follows Jesus who follows God the Father. I believe that Paul is also firmly reiterating that Jesus is the Son of God and that it is by his authority the Paul may present his requests to God.
Second is the nature of the petition. Paul is praying on behalf of his friends in the church at Ephesus. He is not praying is some nebulous form that they be 'blessed' or 'protected' or 'strengthened' or 'convicted.' Rather he is praying specifically that God grant them 'a spirit of wisdom and revelation.' In this instance, I do not believe Paul is speaking of The Holy Spirit as that Spirit has already been granted unto them. Further, true wisdom and revelation cannot be present without the simultaneous presence of The Holy Spirit. So it is my contention that Paul is praying that in addition to The Holy Spirit that the readers be given 'a spirit' or 'attitude' or 'disposition' of wisdom and revelation. For clarity's sake, I believe that 'wisdom', in this context, implies the ability to discern the true nature of things. 'Revelation' is the 'unveiling' or 'full understanding' of whatever is being discussed which in this case is God himself. This then is a petition of serious import the granting of which would greatly benefit the recipient. What a wonderful example of how we should pray for one another!
Third is the purpose of the prayer. Though the granting of this petition would greatly benefit the recipient, the purpose is not for personal advancement, achievement, comfort or happiness. The real purpose of this prayer is that the person for whom this prayer is prayed is 'so that you may know him [God] better.' Paul is not speaking of any form of abstract knowledge or the accumulation of of objective facts with respect to God. Rather he speaks of a deep, meaningful and intimate awareness of God's character and will. This is the revelation for which we all thirst and hunger. This is the relationship that satisfies the soul and pushes away everything unworthy.
Compared to the glorious riches implied in this petition from Paul, all those requests to 'help with my finances' or 'reveal the job intended for me' or 'give me peace, respite and relief' are but paltry pleas for our own comfort. I believe that I'll pray instead for 'a spirit of wisdom and revelation so that you may know him better.' When you're in that relationship with God, all the other things will be given unto you.
In His Grip,
Carl
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment