1For we know that if the earthly house of our tent is dissolved, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal, in the heavens. 2For most certainly in this we groan, longing to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, 3if indeed being clothed, we will not be found naked. 4For indeed we who are in this tent do groan, being burdened, not that we desire to be unclothed, but that we desire to be clothed, that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5Now he who made us for this very thing is God, who also gave to us the down payment of the Spirit.
6Therefore we are always confident and know that while we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord; 7for we walk by faith, not by sight. 8We are courageous, I say, and are willing rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord. 9Therefore also we make it our aim, whether at home or absent, to be well pleasing to him. 10For we must all be revealed before the judgment seat of Christ that each one may receive the things in the body according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
11Knowing therefore the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are revealed to God, and I hope that we are revealed also in your consciences. 12For we are not commending ourselves to you again, but speak as giving you occasion of boasting on our behalf, that you may have something to answer those who boast in appearance and not in heart. 13For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God. Or if we are of sober mind, it is for you. 14For the love of Christ compels us; because we judge thus: that one died for all, therefore all died. 15He died for all, that those who live should no longer live to themselves, but to him who for their sakes died and rose again.
16Therefore we know no one according to the flesh from now on. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know him so no more. 17Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new. 18But all things are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ, and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not reckoning to them their trespasses, and having committed to us the word of reconciliation.
20We are therefore ambassadors on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreating by us: we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21For him who knew no sin he made to be sin on our behalf, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Paul's Prayer for You
Paul Kneeling in Prayer
Paul prays for the church in Ephesus. I like to think that he prayed this not only for the believers in Ephesus, but also for each and every one of us who would eventually come to faith in Christ. He asks God to strengthen us richly in our inner person with all of His riches. What does this really mean? It means that each of us has an inner person. That’s the real you. It’s your soul. It will live from now until forever. Your soul and your spirit will go to be with the Lord when you take your last breath on earth. But while here, you can receive the initial deposit, the Holy Spirit, and many of the riches that are yours. When you choose Jesus, you become a new creation (2 Cor 5:17) and receive the Holy Spirit along with all the promises of God. Paul says it right there. “That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.” Just think about that. The very God who created you now dwells in your heart through faith. And what does this do for you?
It roots you and grounds you like a tiny acorn in good soil. And then that acorn grows into a great tree as you are “strengthened through His Spirit.” It is in growing in Him that you become alive, awake, and aware. You become alive because you were once dead. You wake up because you were once asleep. You become aware that God’s love is higher, deeper, wider, and longer than you could ever imagine. That is the fullness of God. Pause today as you read this, and pray a prayer of obedience and submission so that you might experience this. You might say something like, “Lord Jesus, you are my Lord and my God. You are the lover of my soul. You love me more than I can understand or comprehend. Remove my own desires today and fill my heart and soul with your plans and desires for me. Strengthen my inner man because I am weak and helpless without your indwelling strength. Lord, I ask you to fill me with the fullness of Yourself. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen.” Rest for a moment. Thank Him for hearing you. Go live this day out as He directs for His glory.
“What a friend we have in Jesus. All our sins and griefs to bear. What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer.”