Last Sunday’s sermon outlined the first step in HOW to enjoy God; which is by realising we can’t. Well, not in our own strength anyway. In Ephesians 3:14-21 the apostle Paul prays that the Ephesians be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God (Eph 3:19b). Or in other words, to become as mature in their Christian walk as a person can become in this life.
Fortunately, Paul outlines for us how this happens. First, we need the Holy Spirit’s ‘power’ to make Christ ‘dwell’ (feel at home) in our hearts (Eph 3:16-17a). We cannot transform our hearts to be the kind of place Christ feels at home in; only the Spirit can. Second, Paul prays for ‘power’ to understand that which is immeasurable in knowledge; namely the love of Christ (Eph 3:17b-19a). Again, we do not have the ability to grasp the enormity of Christ’s love. But the Holy Spirit can help us to.
Understanding our inability to grow as Christians (which includes our inability to enjoy God) does several things for us. First, it completely liberates us from the guilt or the despair of thinking the reason we’re not growing, or not defeating sin, or not enjoying God, is because of us. Sanctification (growing in Christian maturity) is by grace, just as justification is by grace.
Second, it shows us that if the Holy Spirit is the only one who can transform our heart, then we really need to employ his services. We need to be praying for the Spirit’s power!
And finally, it shows that the way our hearts are transformed is through understanding (emotionally) just how much God loves us in Christ. So let us continue looking to Jesus; and feel the love.
Brendan McLaughlin
