Ephesians 1:19, 20 - Resurrection Power in Christians.
Ephesians 1:19, 20 (NLT) I also pray that
you will understand the incredible greatness of
Gods power for us who believe him. This is the
same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the
dead and seated him in the place of honor at
Gods right hand in the heavenly realms.
Ephesians 1:19, 20 (TLB) I pray that you
will begin to understand how incredibly great his
power is to help those who believe him. It is that
same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the
dead and seated him in the place of honor at
Gods right hand in heaven,
INTRODUCTION
In verse 19 Paul piles term upon term to
emphasize that the extraordinary, divine power by
which Jesus Christ was raised (v. 20) is the same
power at work in and through believers (see Php
3:10 and note; cf. also Ps 77:16"19 and note),
[NIV SB 2020]
Gods great power, that very power which
raised Jesus from the dead and lifted Him by
ascension back to glory to take His seat at Gods
right hand, is given to every believer at the time
of salvation and is always available (cf. Ac
1:8; Col 1:29). Paul therefore did not pray that
Gods power be given to believers but that they be
aware of the power they already possessed in
Christ and use it (cf. 3:20). [MacArthur SB 2006]
COMMENTARY PEARL
To save a little on our car insurance, my
husband and I signed up for an online driver's
safety course. Some parts were a good review. Other
parts were tedious. One message was repeated
several times: "As you age, you are more frail and
more likely to die in a car accident." Frail? My
husband and I bristled at the description. First of
all, we don't think of ourselves as old. Second,
we don't see ourselves as weak. But whatever
our age, our bodies do grow weak eventually. In
small and large ways, we are forced to acknowledge
our mortality.
That's why I'm grateful for these verses
in Ephesians. Because of Jesus, we will one day
rise in glory. Not only that, but He lives in us
right now. In the day to day of our lives, His
resurrection power is at work in us. He empowers,
enlightens, and renews our hope. That is a whole lot of
mighty strength! Our bodies may become frail, but
it doesn't hinder His will and His work. In
fact, Jesus told the apostle Paul, "My power is
made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9,
ESV).
If we feel daunted by the tasks ahead of
us today, let's ask Jesus to help us see His
power at work. Sharon Hinck
Faith Step: Take a deep breath. Invite
Jesus to live through you and bring His love to
others while you still have breath in your body.
[Mornings With Jesus 2021 Devotional by Guideposts and
Zondervan]
COMMENTARY
Ephesus was a city steeped in the magical
arts. People from all over the region came to
worship at shrines and buy tokens of power such as
amulets and spells. So when Paul referred to
supernatural wisdom and power, he was speaking their
language. But what he prayed was not for an increase
in the power they wanted; it was for another
kind of power altogether. They were worshiping
inferior gods and goddesses. He directed them to the
true source.
We have access to that true source too.
Many people feel powerless; they resign
themselves to fate, or to some Christian version of
fate. It isn't that they don't believe God can act
on their behalf; they just don't believe He
will. But Scripture assures us again and again
that God's power is at work in us, through us,
and for us. Later in Ephesians, Paul tells us
that God can do beyond our imagination by the
power that is already working within us (Ephesians
3:20). But here he narrows the scope: God's
incomparably great power is for those of us who believe.
Does that mean everyone who believes the
gospel or those who actively have faith in God's
practical promises for everyday life? Regardless, the
condition is clear. Those who believe are the ones who
receive. Those who don't... well, God may act on
their behalf because after all, He's full of
mercy. But there are some things He does only in
response to faith. As Jesus told some blind men, God
will do for us according to our faith (Matthew
9:29). God's power is strongest among those who
believe it.
That's why our hearts need to be flooded
with light and vision into another realm. The
more we see God's goodness and power, the more we
believe He will act on our behalf. Our vision and
our faith are integrally linked. We hardly
believe what we can't envision Him doing. But He
responds in power to those who believe. Open your
eyes to His good intentions, and watch Him
powerfully accomplish them all. [The One Year Heaven On
Earth Devotional by Chris Tiegreen]
How would our lives change if we really
knew God's vast power? This incredible power
raised Jesus from the dead! And it's available to
us. His power has parted rivers so that people
walked through on dry ground. His power turned
water into wine - in fact, it's his power at work
every time grape vines turn rain into grape juice.
His power keeps the earth rotating around the
sun at just the right speed and just the right
angle. His power is at work all around us if only
we would pay attention.
If we really believed in his power, we
would be bold in offering his love and truth to
other people. If we really trusted his power, we
would pursue the goals he's given us with the
confidence that he will turn dreams into reality.
With God, today's impossibility is
tomorrow's miracle. Are you ready for one? Put your
trust in his power, not your own willpower.
God loves you so much that he freely
gives you his power to work in your life. [The
Daniel Plan 365-Day Devotional]
CLOSING THOUGHT
Commentator Warren Wiersbe has pointed
out that many of Gods people are
betweeners... They believe that Jesus died on the cross,
but they are not living in the power of His
resurrection.
Some people believe that Jesus has saved
them and justified them, but they enter into a
lifestyle of sin. They dont live like theyre
saved; they live like theyre spiritually dead.
Are you a betweener? Do you believe in
Jesus but find yourself still bound to a certain
sin, a certain vice that has a hold on you?
God can break that pattern of sin in your
life. You can live a sanctified life as a follower
of Jesus Christ. Im not saying that youll
be sinless, because we all sin. But I am saying
you can sin less.
Maybe youre thinking, I cant
stop sinning. Its just human nature. I cant
control it.
Yes, you can. You make choices. Remember,
Jesus warned a man that He healed, Now you are
well; so, stop sinning, or something even worse
may happen to you (John 5:14 NLT).
For every temptation in life that you
faced and gave into, if you think back, you will
remember there always was a way out. And there was
power from God to give you the resolve to take
that way out. So, if you didnt take it, that
isnt Gods fault. Rather, you made a bad
choice.
Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 10:13,
The temptations in your life are no different
from what others experience. And God is faithful.
He will not allow the temptation to be more
than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will
show you a way out so that you can endure
(NLT).
Theres always a way out. We make our
choices and then our choices make us. [Greg Laurie
from Harvest Ministries;
https://www.harvestdaily.com re Psalm 78:32]
LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS TOPIC
Ephesians 6:10-13 - Christian Warfare.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2020/20201018-1117.html
YOUR COMMENTS
If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in
hearing from you. Thanks in advance and let's keep
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred
Gibbs
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
Steps to Peace by Billy Graham:
https://stepstopeace.org/
A Man without Equal by Bill Bright:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo
Seeking God Made Real:
http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
Importance of Choice:
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]
Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David
DeRose, MD, MPH:
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies:
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Hope Awakens Bible Study Guides:
https://www.hopeawakens.study/lesson-header;id=2
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies:
http://www.bibleresearch.info/
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
Islam and Christianity in Prophecy, The
Third and Final Conflict by Tim Roosenberg:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHSJB-fuHLU&list=PLWhQIHGTHlkaGg5Cwe3NDzWtFX8vNSpsE
Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of
Adventist World Radio: https://www.awr.org/bible
Revelation Now by Pastor Doug Batchelor:
https://www.revelationnow.com/
Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW:
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
