18 …having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints. 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might.” (Ephesians 1:18-19 (ESV)
Paul prayed that the Ephesian believers in Christ would possess an increasing and lasting understanding of the Scriptures. This understanding, or enlightenment, unto biblical truth would extend to three particular areas of the believer’s life in Christ. What are those three areas?
First, “that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you.” The verb know (οἶδα; oida) means to have a knowledge, understanding and remembrance. This knowledge began at a particular point in time in the believer’s past and has continuing results unto eternity. This refers, in the context, to the effectual calling by God of the sinner unto salvation.
This results in hope (ἐλπίς; elpis) or a confident expectation that God will keep His promise of eternal life to those He has called. “Hope” in Scripture is the absolute certainty of a believer’s victory in God (cf. Rom. 8:23–24; Eph. 4:4; Col. 1:5; 1 Thess. 1:3; 1 Peter 3:15).
The word called (κλῆσις; klesis), as previously stated, refers to the effectual call of God unto salvation. This results in a new relationship. This call is by God and God alone. He alone is the author of the believer’s salvation (cf. Rom. 1:6; 8:30; Eph. 4:1, 4; 2 Tim. 1:9).
Take the time today to pray that God would open the eyes of your heart and provide you a deeper understanding of biblical truth. Take time to thank God for calling you by His grace alone, through God given faith alone, unto eternal life in Christ alone. Have a blessed day.
Soli deo Gloria!
His Word Today 