Title Paul's Prayer (2) (Ephesians 3:17-19)
When we think about it, Jesus is truly powerless and incompetent. Isn't that proof that he died on the cross, lived without a home, and even now, there is no one who believes in Jesus and has become such a great figure? I think. It is our heart that we do not feel that we have clearly enjoyed anything because we believe in Jesus. But Jesus did not come to give us things of this earth. A believer is one who hopes for a new heaven and a new earth rather than this earth. Therefore, the goal of a believer's life is not of this earth. Who will eat what? what to wear what to drink What does the bible say? It's a foreigner. God's people are to seek His kingdom and His righteousness. The funny thing is that people are looking forward to the time when they will be shouting loudly for such a power that is higher than the power of the world on this earth, saying that they are seeking his kingdom and his righteousness. So, we think that there will come a time when those who believe in Jesus will not be persecuted but rather proudly and loudly shout.
But Christianity is not like that. There was a time when Christianity took the lead in world history and shouted loudly. It is the Middle Ages. It was the time when the king bowed his head to the pope. However, it is said that the world history was a dark age at that time. We need to know this. How can our concern change the world so that we can live comfortably? I am trying to live a life of faith by focusing on everything here. But Paul is praying to the Ephesians in prison. The content of that prayer is turning our thoughts upside down. Our concern was the world, but Paul's concern was not the world, but faith, the gospel, and the new heavens and the new earth. By faith we want Christ to be in your hearts. It must be a miracle that Jesus Christ dwells in my heart. It is the true nature of human beings to try not to lose to others and not to be bound by others.
But it is a miracle that Christ enters into such a human being. But what does it mean that Christ wants to be in you? In the Old Testament, the people of Israel had a wish. It was my wish that Christ would come. The reason we waited for Christ is that when Christ comes, we can rule the whole world, defeat all who do not believe in God, and eat from the tree of life. So I eagerly waited for Christ. That Christ did not come only to the Israelites, but also to the Gentiles. This is the gospel. That is why Paul prayed that this gospel would be fulfilled also among the Ephesians. And we are praying for those who already have Christ in their hearts. What is? It is said, “Being rooted and hardened in love”. What does this mean? They want to be rooted and grounded by the love of Christ. These words confirm how swayed and tempted we are by the things of this world.
How often do we fail and get frustrated every day? How much pain and suffering are we in this world because of the things of this world? So does our faith waver and even fall? But Paul is praying that God's love may take root and solidify us. Here we cannot but remember the words of Romans 8. It is not our strength, not our prayers, nor our zeal, but the background of our strength that is not shaken by any tribulation and hardship on this earth. It is not our zeal, but that the love of Christ makes us unwavering. We need these prayers to burst forth. We can't trust ourselves. We cannot believe our prayers, our zeal. That is why we reaffirm that the love of Christ must hold on to us.
And what else did Paul pray for? They want to know the love of Christ, which overflows with knowledge, and to realize its breadth and length and height and depth. Where is Paul now? Look at the prayer that comes out of the mouth of Paul who was imprisoned in prison. But Paul says, know the love of Christ, which is the love that surpasses knowledge. How do we measure the love of Christ? A girl told me not to eat because her mother ate too much. So? Do you know what this daughter is saying to her mother? That's what we call our mother stepmother. People say whether you love the love of Christ or not, based on what you have done to them. But Christ's love is not measurable.
Now, even when I am in trouble and in trouble, I want you to know that the Lord is still with us, walks with us, weeps with us and suffers with us. What do you know? Didn't he himself die on the cross for us? That is why we need to know the breadth, length, height, and depth of that great love that loves us. That is why I ask you to be filled with all the fullness of God. What is the fullness of God? Are we full now? We are always asking for what we lack. Every day we ask for more of this world. But what is the fullness of God? Is it visible? Can you touch it? Is it of this world? no. Christ's love. To know its breadth and depth and length and height is the fullness of God. Paul is praying for this fullness to be full. This is not asking to be full, but asking how full you are.