The Life of Those Brought Near

In Ephesians 3:14-19, Paul stands at an important turning point in his letter. He has spent the opening chapters explaining what God has done for His people in Christ. Soon he will begin telling them how they are to walk in light of that calling. But before Paul tells them to walk, he kneels.

Paul asks the Father to strengthen believers through His Spirit in their inner being, that Christ would dwell in their hearts through faith, and that they would be rooted and grounded in love. He prays that, together with all the saints, they would increasingly know the immeasurable love of Christ and be filled with all the fullness of God. The Christian life requires more than outward effort. God Himself must strengthen and shape His people.

That life begins with the Gospel. We were dead in sin and unable to bring ourselves near to God, but the Father sent His Son. Jesus lived in perfect obedience, died under the judgment our sins deserve, and rose again. Through faith in Christ, sinners are forgiven, reconciled, and welcomed into the Father’s presence.

As we respond, Paul’s prayer gives us three simple questions: Where do I need God’s inward strength? Who can I faithfully bring before the Father in prayer? What concrete step of obedience can I take this week?

We invite you to join Refuge Church - Centralia as we gather around God’s Word Sundays at 10 am.