The Riches of Faith are Better than Gold

(Ephesians 1:15-18)

In just a few words, Paul has written to the Ephesians and all those who read these words, his joy in the hope that is set before us by God in Jesus Christ.

His joy is overflowing for those who have come to Christ and received the blessings of the Lord in return for their faith. Paul thanks God for all that he has given to those who seek him out.

So let us too share the joy in these things and briefly look at what Paul is giving thanks for and the reasons for his joy.

Wisdom, Revelation and Knowledge

In the first few verses we see Paul giving thanks to God for the blessings God has bestowed on the Ephesians church.

15 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him… (Ephesians 1:15-17)

The first few things Paul gives thanks for is that God has given people a spirit of wisdom, revelation and knowledge.

These things are part of the working of the Holy Spirit in us. It is the work of the Holy Spirit to transform man into the image of Jesus Christ, as I have mentioned many times in previous posts.

To do that work of transformation requires these three aspects to take place.

The Holy Spirit in us first “reveals” those things that need to be learned.

These revelations may take many forms. They can be revelations of issues we need to deal with, matters of personality to be resolved or passions to be battled and overcome.

Beyond these revelations we will receive revelations of what the Lord wants us to do, see or understand. These revelations of Knowledge come from the Holy Spirit, who teaches us so that we may understand.

Not everyone learns and understands things in the same way. Some need words, some need to hear things, some people are “visual” learners and need to see things, and some need to experience things to learn.

Everyone is different and in learning the things of God it is not a “one size fits all” experience.

This is why God gives us the Holy Spirit so this training and teaching becomes a one-on-one process. The Holy Spirit takes the words and teachings of the Lord, and then interprets them to each individual in the best way that they can understand.

This is why Paul gives thanks to God for the spirit of revelation and knowledge.

And when we receive God’s revelations and knowledge, the Spirit works in us to teach us wisdom. This is done through the love of Jesus Christ that is poured into us through receiving the Holy Spirit, as it says in Romans 5:5.

We are told elsewhere that knowledge puffs up, and we know ourselves that there are people who are puffed up with pride and arrogance because of their pursuit of knowledge.

But love builds up and in love we learn wisdom. We understand through wisdom that the knowledge of the Lord is not to be closely held to gain an advantage, as often happens in the world. Instead we understand that the knowledge of the Lord is to be shared for the benefit of all, and that requires the wisdom of the Lord.

Enlightenment and Hope

The next verse in this section under review gives us two further things for which Paul thanks God.

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… (Ephesians 1:18)

Enlightenment is one of those words that has been hijacked by the new age movements around the world. Many of the new age movements claim their followers will be “enlightened” through their teachings.

However the TRUE enlightenment comes from God through faith in Jesus Christ.

Enlightenment at it’s simplest form is the ability to see the light, that is, the light of knowledge and truth.

Jesus IS the light. Without Him there is no light, and we are encouraged to walk in the light of Jesus Christ so that we can see the true light of the knowledge and truth of Jesus Christ and the gospel of salvation in Him.

Apart from Christ there is no light or salvation. There is no enlightenment and it is only by knowing Jesus Christ that we are able to have the “…eyes of your hearts enlightened.” Through Christ we can “see” the truth of the New Covenant and be “enlightened” in our hearts, mind and spirit. And this too comes from the working of the Holy Spirit in us.

And finally we have the hope of salvation in Jesus Christ.

Hope gives us purpose. Hope leads us to see what could be, rather than what is. Hope gives us a reason to live and to press forward to the goal set before us in Jesus Christ.

And as this verse shows us, the hope we have in Jesus Christ will be realised in the riches of glory to be received in Jesus Christ.

These are not riches as supposed by the world. It’s not about physical wealth or money. Rather these are the riches of life, salvation, glory and eternity in the presence of Jesus Christ and God. They are the riches of victory over the devil, and over the passions and desires of human nature. They are the riches that lead to eternity.

These are the riches of faith, and the inheritance set before those who have faith in Jesus Christ. It is a great blessing and when we understand these things, it is easy to see why Paul shows such joy over those who have come to these things.

To that end, these are the same things we seek and we too should take hold of the joy that exists in these things and in our coming to know Jesus Christ and be known by Him.

Seek the ways of the Lord and likewise be joyful for the call of God that is upon you.

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