Ephesians
1:18
Ephesus was a city full of superstition, magic, and all the other
works which resembled that of a cult… It was
the missionary journey of Paul (led by the Holy Spirit) to enter the city of
Ephesus and open their eyes… A lot of times we see people who have gone the
wrong way, we speak words about them but we never speak words to them… This is
the message that I find so important for us to grasp in today’s focus verse…
The people you encounter may not know what they’re doing is wrong, some of them
may have very well been brought up with the notion that all the things that are
being done are right and it is up to you to allow the Holy Spirit to move so
that “The eyes of there understanding may be enlightened…” Not everybody
needs to hear a word of encouragement, not everybody needs a pat on the back,
some people in your life need to hear the truth in love, some people in your
life need a stern kick in their backside… The ministry that God has placed in
your life, you are accountable for; every person you encounter everyday of your
life should be impacted by the display of Christ in and through you… This is
what Paul was saying in his letter to the Church of Rome when he said that we
should be “a living sacrifice…” The problems that occur in most of the
lives of people who live according to this world is that they place their hopes
in and on material things… People of the world have the belief that a high
paying job gives them hope for a bright future and stability; however, this is
where their understanding must be enlightened… The eyes of this world must be
opened and enlightened; this can only be accomplished when they are taught the
hope for their existence, the hope for their family and friends is not found in
the world but in his calling… Can you recall when you were focused on
getting ahead and not bowing your head…? In all the things that you tried to do
on this earth, what has gotten you to this point? It wasn’t the money, it
wasn’t the stability and it wasn’t your family… You don’t have to believe in
magic nor be superstitious concerning the steps that you take… If you want
to reach the levels that no man can reach, if you want to be stable amidst
whatever storm comes your way, you have to have anchor dropped in the faith
that is Jesus Christ… This is the message that Paul is writing to the Church of
Ephesus… Don’t get caught in the things around you, don’t allow the people
around you to pull you down… You have to stand strong in the Lord and display
your faith in Christ so that others will come to know Him… Instead of talking
about someone who is lost or confused, extend a hand of grace which was the
same hand that Christ extended to you… There was a time and we may still be
experiencing a time when our eyes were dim… We couldn’t see our purpose or
bring in to clear view the focus of our lives… Paul’s letter to the church of
Ephesus reminds us that as a child of God our eyes have been opened… There was
a time when we sought the wrong approval; there was a time when we lived
according to the wrong standards and a time when hell was assured to be our
eternal resting place… Paul knows all too well of this state, he refers to himself
as the “chief sinner,” but yet God opened his eyes too his calling and
purpose… As we take this Christian journey and develop a more intimate
relationship with God, we must remember that we are still maturing as disciples…
There will be days when you don’t understand, there will be times when you are
confused, and situations that make us uneasy… Paul’s letter to the church of
Ephesus tells us that we will be enlightened to know his calling; we have
specific task in our life and we are developing into the Christians that God
has called us to be. This growing process has begun since you accepted the call
of God on your life! Everything that happens in your life serves a purpose and
there are sure to be times of uncertainty or unfamiliarity… What Paul
encourages us to do during this period is to reflect back to where we once were
and know that we are growing… Your eyes will be enlightened, things will
come into focus, your purpose will be revealed and you will gain the clear
understanding that you desire… Your eyes are now being enlightened, through
your hardships you see who your true friends are, through times of despair you
see what love really is and Paul has gained that understanding and passed it on
to us today… God will not fail, and He will not allow you to fail either,
so continue to hold to His hand, continue to trust in the Lord and be about the
work that He has called you to do! Your eyes are being enlightened and you
are growing in Christ!
BE BLESSED!!!
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