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Daily Devotions

Ephesians

Ephesians 
Day 
Day 169

"That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, that you, being rooted and grounded in love…"

Text: Ephesians 3:17

CLOSELY CONNECTED THOUGHTS

It is important that we keep in mind that the intercessory prayer of the apostle Paul must be studied as a series of closely connected thoughts. Though each phrase is full of depth, all the thoughts must be linked together.

REVIEWING THE FIRST PETITION: STRENGTH IN THE INNER MAN

The first petition Paul made was to be given strength and power in the inner man. Through the ministry of the Spirit of God, and on the basis of the riches of God’s glory, Paul prayed that tremendous power might be given.

Paul’s prayer reflected his deep understanding of the Ephesian believers. He knew that not many had found special strength and might in the inner man. But there was tremendous power available for every believer. How may one find that strength and power from God? Paul found much assurance through the ministry of prayer.

THE SECOND PETITION

How may one find consistent strength and power from God? Paul deeply believed that in order to find strength from the Lord consistently, one must have “Christ (to) dwell in (the) hearts through faith”.

1. Believing in Christ

One of course needs to have a basic faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. It is through faith that one obtains salvation (Cf. Ephesians 2:8-9). But there is more to being a Christian than having simple faith.

2. Indwelling of Christ through faith

What a wonderful thought this is! How should we understand and appreciate this idea of Christ dwelling (“katoikesai”) in our hearts.

a) The first idea behind this word “indwell” is that of “habitation”,
b) The second idea is that of good fellowship between Jesus and the believer.

INDWELLING AND ABIDING

Jesus once taught His disciples about what it means to “abide” in Him. The idea of “indwelling” and the idea of “abiding” (Cf. John 15) are quite closely related. Let us recall what Jesus said,

Abide in Me, and I in you,
as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself,
unless it abides in the vine, neither can you,
unless you abide in Me.
JOHN 15:4

How may we practice this idea of abiding in Christ? Paul emphasized the necessity of exercising “faith” if we are to have a healthy and vibrant relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.