Some thoughtful insights from Brian Kelson of Bible Understanding on Paul's prayer in his introduction to the letter to the Ephesians in which he makes known the riches of our inheritance in Christ to the called out ones in this "dispensation of the grace of God":
The
opening prayer in our epistles gives us cause for contemplation,
especially in the matter of the zillions of Christians who are oblivious
to the present calling, or who obscure and even oppose it:
Eph 1:15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,
Eph 1:16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
Eph
1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may
give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of
him:
Eph
1:18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may
know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory
of his inheritance in the saints,
Eph 1:19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe,
Paul
prays the Father would give the saints and faithful the spirit of
wisdom and revelation in the (ac)knowledge(ing) of Christ. Paul
proclaimed the truth but the Father granted the understanding. Notice
that which was revealed to Paul is understood by a revelation to the
individual believers?
The
other passage is found in 2Tim. 2 where Paul doesn't pray, but advises
the course for us when dealing with those who oppose themselves (or
oppose) and he says this;
2Ti 2:24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
2Ti
2:25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God
peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the
truth;
2Ti 2:26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
It
appears that right division is the key and those who apply it, who are
honest with God's word and who perspire and hunger for it, are given the
understanding. Those who oppose and ignore the rules are eventually
ensnared.
It is God who grants things, we serve in love, committing the truth to faithful ones.
Whether
these things are accurate or not, it reminds us of the important part
we have in the ministry of the joints and bands. We are his instruments
and what an honour and privilege to serve our God.
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