Ephesians 3

Ephesians 3:1

Paul penned this Epistle seemingly as a prisoner of Rome. Yet he gives us a different perspective of his situation when he writes, “Indeed, I’m a prisoner. But I’m a prisoner for a cause.” What cause? The incredible revelation, as seen in chapter 2, that Jews and Gentiles are brought together in Jesus Christ into a new entity. “We’re in this thing together,” said Paul. Not only was Paul a prisoner for a cause, He was a prisoner of the Christ. “I’m not a prisoner of Nero,” he declared. “I’m not a prisoner of the Roman Empire. I’m a prisoner of Jesus Christ. And He has brought me to this place.” I hate to say it, but I’m glad Paul was in prisonbecause our Bible is a whole lot richer and the body much more complete as a result. You see, while he was in prison, Paul wrote the letters we value so greatly. In addition, the guards to whom he was chained as a prisoner began getting saved one by one before returning to Caesar’s palace as born-again believers. That is why in his letter to the Philippians, Paul says, “The saints in Caesar’s palace, your new brothers in Christ, greet you” (see Php_4:22). Happy will be the one who realizes that wherever he is has been ordained by the Lord to bring about good things if he will have eyes to see and patience to wait. Whenever I complain about my circumstances or situation, I am really complaining about my Father, for it is He who sets our course and determines our days. Paul never lost this perspective. That is why He could say, “I’m a prisoner of Jesus Christ, for it is He who has captivated my heart and brought me to this place.”

Ephesians 3:2

In Scripture, the word “mystery” refers to something that was previously unknown or hidden but is now revealed because the timing is right. The mystery of how Jews and Gentiles are heirs together is based on the dispensation of grace. As you read through the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, it will help you greatly, it will clear a lot of fog and remove a lot of confusion if you understand that basically God is taking mankind on a march through eight primary dispensations or ways in which He has related to us. There are those who say, “We don’t need God. We just need to get the right man in the White House. We don’t need a spiritual revival. We just need a political revolution.” Others say, “If we could just get rid of all of the toxic waste and pollutants, if we could make our environment better, we would surely live in peace and harmony.” Others say, “If only my parents weren’t so weird, I would be happy.” Others say, “The problem is faith. We’re asked to believe something we can’t see, can’t hear, and can’t touch. If we could just see and touch and hear, then we would believe whatever it is we’re supposed to believe.” So what does God do? He says, “Okay, human race, have it your way. I’m going to march you right through these different theories, these different ideas that you think will bring about happiness.” And He began with the first dispensation… The Dispensation of Innocence The “Dispensation of Innocence” began with the creation of man, lasted until the Fall, and completely obliterates the “Mommie Dearest” syndrome. Adam and Eve were perfectly healthy and had neither human parents nor a dysfunctional family. But what happened? They chose to rebel against God. Thus, the “Dispensation of Innocence” shows mankind that even if he had a perfect family situation, he’s still a sinner who will rebel against God and wander away into his own error. How our generation and culture need to understand that the “Dispensation of Innocence” nullifies the argument that the reason we’re so messed up is because of our parents. The Dispensation of Conscience The “Dispensation of Conscience” lasted approximately 1,650 yearsfrom the fall of man to the Flood. “If we could just follow our own conscience and let everyone do his own thing, we could all live in harmony,” people say. But look what happened. In the dispensation wherein God said, “Follow your conscience,” the world was filled with such violence and sexual aberration that giants were produced on the earth. So perverted was the planet that only one man had an interest in walking righteously and responding to God (Gen_6:8). The Dispensation of Government The “Dispensation of Government” lasted approximately 425 yearsfrom the Flood to the Tower of Babel. During this time, God established the first governmental order, based upon capital punishment (Exo_21:23-24). Man decided to add to God’s order by undertaking the first governmental building project: the Tower of Babel. Genesis 11 tells us it was constructed with bricks and slimea fitting description for the venture that ended in disaster. The Dispensation of Promise The “Dispensation of Promise” lasted approximately 430 yearsfrom Abraham to the Exodus. “If I just had a promise, I know my life would be successful,” man says. “I don’t need GodI just need a vision.” Abraham received just such a promise, for God told him that his posterity would number as the sand on the seashore and the stars in the heavens, and that he would live in a new land. But what happened? His descendants ended up in Egypt, baking bricks in the blistering desert sun. The Dispensation of the Law The “Dispensation of the Law” lasted approximately fifteen hundred yearsfrom the Exodus to the Cross of Calvary. There are those who think if man just had some rules and regulations, he’d be okay. So God gave man the law. There are still those who think that if they could just find the right how-to book, life would make sense. But the law was wonderfully sensible and beautifully practical. The only problem with it is that man can’t keep it. The Dispensation of Grace The “Dispensation of Grace” is the dispensation in which we live, and of which Paul writes. The “Dispensation of Grace” brings us to the place where we realize neither innocence nor conscience, government nor promise, vision nor rules and regulations will save us. The “Dispensation of Grace” is God saying to us, “I love you. I died for your sin. I rose again. If you confess your need for Me with your mouth and believe on Me in your heart, you’ll be saved” (see Rom_10:9). The Dispensation of the Tribulation The “Dispensation of the Tribulation,” spoken of in Revelation 6-19, is a seven-year period of unbelievable difficulty. People complain about believing in something they can’t see or hear. So God says, “Okay. You want to see something? You want to hear something? Here it comes…” Angels will fly across the skies. Hailstones will pelt the planet. Seas will turn to blood. Mountains will disappear. Continents will break apart. The result? The majority of those who experience these cataclysmic changes will cry not to the Rock of Ages to save them, but to the rocks to fall upon them (Rev_6:16). The Dispensation of Righteousness Following the seven-year period of the Tribulation, the Lord comes back to earth, where He will rule and reign in Jerusalem for one thousand years. The lion will lie down by the lamb. There will be no more war. Disease will no longer plague the planet. The environment will be perfect. “If we just didn’t have pollution, disease, and crime, we would be happy and content,” people say. But what happens at the end of the millennial kingdom? There will be a rebellion against Godwhich totally disproves B. F. Skinner’s theories that a good environment makes good people. For one thousand years, man will live in a perfect environmentyet some will still rebel against God. An understanding of the dispensations will keep you from being confused by the way God deals differently throughout Scripturefor in the unfolding story of His progressive revelation, God shows that man has no idea how to find success or satisfaction apart from Him.

Ephesians 3:7

Paul was a minister not because of his piety, his spirituality, or his ability. The means of Paul’s ministry was singular. It was grace.

Ephesians 3:8

Paul was aware of the fact that he was ministering not because he deserved to serve, but solely by grace. The closer we get to the Lord, the more we are aware of the sin in our lives that was previously unnoticeable to us. The closer Paul walked to the Lord, the more amazed he was by a God who would use himthe least of the apostles (1Co_15:9), the least of all saints (Eph_3:8), the chief of sinners (1Ti_1:15)to minister the unsearchable riches of His grace. Paul didn’t talk about philosophy, psychology, or theology. The message of Paul’s ministry was Jesus exclusively.

Ephesians 3:9

The method of Paul’s ministry was not simply to allow all men to hear about the mystery of the indwelling Christbut to make them see it through the working of God in his own life.

Ephesians 3:10

Paul is a minister of the gospel of grace not only that all men might see the mystery of Christbut that the angels might see as well. According to 1Pe_1:12, the angels are studying us, intrigued that God would reside in people like us.

Ephesians 3:12

The angels in heaven must be saying, “This motley crew can come marching into Your throne room anytime they want, Father, cast their cares upon You, and get help from You?” The answer is a resounding “Yes!” Because of what Christ did for us on Calvary. When my daughter Mary Elizabeth was in second grade, she had a best friend named Rachel. One day, I was in my study, and about every five minutes, Rachel would come in and say, “Mary wants to know if we can go to the store.” “Not right now,” I’d answer. “Mary wants to know if we can go to the school,” she’d ask, only to receive the same response. After about the tenth such request, I finally said, “Rachel, if Mary wants to know, have Mary come and ask me.” You see, Mary thought, I’ll send Rachel in. That way, if Dad gets mad, it will be at Rachel, and not at me! Such was the mind-set with the children of Israel. “Moses, you go get the Word from God. Then come down and tell us,” they said, afraid of God. But in this dispensation, in this glorious “Age of Grace,” God says, “Come boldly unto Me. I want to hear from you because I care about you and want to do good things for you” (see Heb_4:16).

Ephesians 3:13

“Don’t lose heart over my troubles,” says Paul. “They’re for you.” How could that be? In his tribulation, in his confinement, Paul was a living demonstration of what it means to have Christ living in him, the hope of glory. A. W. Tozer was right when he said that before God can use a man greatly, He must allow him to be hurt deeply. Why? Because the old adage is true: People don’t care how much we know until they know how much we care. And what makes us care in our service to people, our interactions with people? Paul gives the answer in 2 Corinthians 1 when he writes: Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. 2Co_1:3-5 In other words, the degree of the crushing, the tribulation, the difficulty in which you find yourself will be the degree of consolation you will receive. And consolation comes to us in order that we may in turn comfort others with the comfort we have found in Him. This passage is so important, gang. God allows us to go through crushing trials even as Paul did in order that we can explore and experience His presence and His comfortand then share it with others. In our darkest times, we only truly receive from those who have gone through similar difficulties. When the one who has walked the same path we’re walking says, “I found consolation in Christ,” his words are like water to the desert of our soul because he’s not simply telling us a theoryhe’s telling us what he has experienced personally and practically. That’s why, in talking about his own ministry here in Ephesians 3, Paul says, “Don’t faint. Don’t lose heart because of our tribulation. It’s for you. God meets us and comforts us in the dungeon of difficulty, in the prison of tribulation so that we can comfort you.” Not only does God use tribulation to comfort the saintsHe uses it to convince the sinner. How? Many unbelievers have been witnessed to hundreds of times by sincere Christians. Yet they remain unmoved because they are unknowingly waiting to see the mystery of Christ in the life of a believer. How will this happen? Here in Ephesians 3, Paul links the answer to his own difficulty. Innumerable as grasshoppers, the Midianites were an intimidating enemy, indeed. Nevertheless, God instructed Gideon to take only three hundred men to do battle against them. After choosing his men, Gideon gave each one a trumpet, a jar, and a torchand led them up into the hills surrounding the valley wherein the Midianites slept. Then, following his lead, Gideon’s men blew their trumpets and broke their earthen vesselseach of which contained a lit torch. Hearing the commotion, the Midianites woke up and, seeing the torcheseach of which they assumed represented at least a division of soldiersthey grabbed their swords and in their confusion began swinging wildly, destroying one another in the process. Thus, Gideon’s men experienced firsthand what happens when light comes pouring forth from a broken vessel (Judges 7). We have this treasurethe Light of the World, Jesus Christin earthen vessels, declares Paul (2Co_4:7). But how is He seen by the world below? Not when things are comfy and cushy and easy. Not when things are hunky dory. The world is not impressed with that. The Enemy is not beaten back by that. The world wants to see the mystery of Christ in usnot just hear about it. How do they see it? They only see it when the vessel is broken. They see it, wife, when your husband walks out on you unexpectedlyand yet you keep worshiping the Lord faithfully. They see it, Dad, when the doctor says, “It’s malignant"and yet you remain strong in your faith. When the business goes belly-up, when your teenager breaks your heart, when you get cut from the team, when you don’t make the squad people get to see the light in the earthen vessel as the vessel is broken. They get to see Christ in you, the hope of glory. And in seeing this mystery, they are drawn to the Master.

Ephesians 3:14

“While I’m in prison, I’m praying for you that the Holy Spirit might strengthen you in the inner man,” says Paul. Do you care about your kids, Mom and Dad? Pray for them. Do you care about your church, saint? Pray for us. Do you care about your community? Pray that the Holy Spirit will work in the inner man. So many have knowledge in their heads, but it hasn’t dropped eighteen inches into their hearts. How does that happen? Through prayer. Paul says, “I bow my kneeI assume the posture of intensityand I pray. My prayer is that the knowledge of theology will make its way from your head to your heart.” The Greek word translated “dwell” literally means “settle down and be at home.” Is Christ at home in your heart? Paul says, “My prayer is that Christ would be comfortable in you. And where He’s comfortable, where He’s at home, you will be happy and blessed.” Jesus: At Home in Your Heart A Topical Study of Eph_3:14-17 Confusion must have filled their hearts. Questions must have flooded their minds, for hadn’t Jesus said, “In My Father’s house are many mansions. I go to prepare a place for you” (see Joh_14:2)? Why, then, a few moments later did He say, “If a man love Me, He will keep My words. My Father will love him and We will come unto him and make our abode with him” (see Joh_14:23)? “I’m going to prepare a place for you,” Jesus said"and yet I will come and live in you.” We see Paul the apostle using the same imagery in our text when he says his prayer is that Christ will dwell in our hearts by faith. The Greek word translated “dwell” is katoikeo. Oikeo means “to dwell in a house.” Kat means “down.” Therefore, katoikeo means “down home.” The idea is that Jesus would be completely at home in our hearts. “Behold, I stand at the door of your heart and knock,” Jesus said. “If any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him and will sup with him and he with Me” (Rev_3:20). Holman Hunt’s famous painting, depicting Jesus standing at the door of what appears to be an English cottage, hangs in St. Paul’s Cathedral in London. “There’s a problem with your painting, Mr. Hunt,” a critic is reported to have said upon first viewing his work. “There’s no doorknob on the door.” “Ah,” Mr. Hunt is said to have replied, “the door handle is only on the inside, for it’s up to the one within to respond to the knock of Jesus.” Jesus will not force His way into a heart. He won’t barge in where He’s not welcome. He’s a perfect gentleman who knocks and says, “If you’ll respond to Me, I’ll come in and dine with you. But the choice is up to you.” Most of us have made that choice. We heard His knock and said, “Come in, Lord. Come into the home of my heart.” And He did. The Living Room The first room He saw in the home of my heart was the living room. “Nice room,” He said. “Thanks, Lord. It’s one of my favorite spots because it’s relatively quiet and secluded.” “I’ll meet you here every morning of every day,” He said. “Before the day gets going, I’ll meet you here in the early morning, and we’ll talk about what’s ahead. When I walked in Israel, I needed instruction and help daily from My Father. So morning by morning, the Father spoke into My ear, giving me the tongue of the learned that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary (Isa_50:4). And now I’ll do the same for you.” What followed was great. I would come into the living room, a fire would be crackling in the fireplace, and Jesus would be there, ready to talk with me and listen to me. It was a great way to start the day. As time went on, however, things got busy, or so I thought. Rushing out the door to a meeting, I caught a glimpse of Him, sitting. And I realized I hadn’t met with Him for a number of mornings.

I stopped in my tracks and walked sheepishly over to where He was sitting, thinking He would lecture me. But He didn’t. There was a smile on His face and a sparkle in His eye as He said, “As I was saying…” continuing the conversation we had shared the last time we were together. And I understood then, truly, that there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus (Rom_8:1). He just continues to make Himself available morning by morning to help me speak wisely and to navigate life successfully. The Study As the morning drew to a close, Jesus said, “What is that room over there?” “Oh, that’s my study. Come on in.” He followed me in, and I noticed He was looking rather intently at the books on the shelves. “Look, Lord,” I said proudly, “I’ve got all the latest bestsellers: Winning Through Intimidation, Watch Out for Number One, I’m OK You’re OK, Dressed for Success, and Awakening the Giant Within. “Do these books work?” He asked. “Not really,” I answered. “That’s why I keep collecting more.” “How about a book trade?” He asked. “Sure, Lord. What do You have in mind?” You give Me your books, and I’ll give you sixty-six books bound in a single volumeone that will make you unashamed as you study to show yourself approved unto Me (2Ti_2:15), one that comes with an incredible guarantee that if you meditate upon it day and night, you will navigate life prosperously and successfully” (Jos_1:8). He took my books. I took His. And suddenly my study was filled with a Book that would intrigue me for the rest of my life. The Family Room “What’s that I hear down the hall?” Jesus asked. “That’s my family room,” I said, opening the door. My kids stopped their playing and rushed toward Him. “Back off, you guys,” I said, laughing. “I think I’ve heard that before,” He said, “when some other disciples tried to keep their kids away from Me (see Mat_19:13). Allow them to come.” So they tackled Him, and He wrestled with my kids on the floor. They had the time of their lives. Then He calmed them down a bit and began telling them stories. I could see my oldest son nod his head in agreement, and a smile on the face of my youngest daughter. Suddenly, a peace enveloped the room that was usually so rambunctious, so disorderly, so chaotic. “This is amazing, Lord,” I said. “You’ve altered this room radically.” “That’s why I asked you, as head of the house, to let me into the family room,” He said. “I’ll alter your kids, your marriage, your home, if you will build a family altar to Me. You see, more than any other group of peoplemore than your congregation or your elders or your friendsyour wife and your kids are your primary disciples. So bring your family together, and learn of Me. There’s nothing more important you can do.” The Recreation Room Hearing a knock on the door, I opened it to find my buddies. We walked down the hall into the recreation room. “Lord, You wouldn’t like it in here,” I said. “This group is real rowdy. So I’ll meet you in the living room in an hour or so.” The boys and I grabbed our pool cues, turned on the radio, and began doing what we did every Tuesday. But this time, it didn’t work. The jokes just weren’t as funny, and the conversation suddenly seemed shallow and empty. Even the lyrics of the music bothered me. After half an hour or so, I heard a knock on the door. It was Jesus. He began to talk with my buddies, and I was absolutely amazed because they all loved Him. Oh, a couple of guys got upset and stormed out. But I learned later they weren’t my friends after all. They just wanted to use my pool table. I learned that Jesus is the Life of the party in the truest sense of the word. I also learned that I’m free to do anything as long as I have Him with me because He changes the atmosphere. Now, if I go into a party and the party changes me, then I must leave. But if the party changes and people start thinking about Jesus as a result of my being there, I am free. And I discovered that Jesus Christ had spoiled mefor I had too much of Him to enjoy the old spots. So I’ve learned to bring the Lord with me to all of my recreational pursuits, and to watch how He infuses them with His life. The Dining Room After working up quite an appetite, I said, “Lord, let’s go get something to eat.” We went into the dining room and sat down to my usual meal. “This is what you eat?” the Lord asked. “Every day,” I answered. “Really? This is the way you satisfy your appetite?” He asked incredulously as He looked at the large glob of cotton candy on my plate. “This is the way I try to satisfy my cravings,” I said. “I must admit, however, that although it looks good, when I take a bite, there’s just nothing there. That’s why I follow it with a hot fudge sundae. I eat the ice cream and the hot fudge and the whipped cream, and there’s something there, all rightbut every time I’m done, I feel sick. So I decide never to have another one. Then about five hours later, I think another hot fudge sundae would taste pretty good, so I dish one up again. But although I feel fullI never feel satisfied. After hearing this, He went into the kitchen and came back a few minutes later with a most interesting meal for me: a little cup full of juice and a little piece of unleavened bread. “This is My body, eat of Me. This is my blood. Drink deeply,” He said. Something happened at my table that evening. It became the Lord’s table. And it became incredibly satisfying to commune with Jesus. Feeling satisfied in a way I never had before, I suddenly understood what He meant when He said, “Whoever drinks of the water I shall give shall never thirst again” (see Joh_4:14). Brother or sisterif you’re thirsting today, it’s because you’ve gone back to the old watering holes. If you’re feeling empty and troubled, it’s because you’ve gone back to the old ways. Whoever drinks of the water of the world will thirst over and over again, for it will never be enough. But whoever drinks of the water Jesus gives, will be satiated at last. The Workshop “What’s behind that door?” the Lord asked. “That’s my workshop. I don’t go out there much anymore,” I said, opening the door, to find some unfinished wooden planes and cars on the worktable. “I’ve lost interest in these things,” I said, “Besides, I’m not that good at woodworking” “I’m a Master Carpenter,” He said. “I can give you some help on these projects.” So He gave me some advice on putting them together. Then He said, “Now take those toysthe hobby you’ve been pursuingand give them away.” So I grabbed my little toys, found some kids at the park, and said, “You guys want some planes and cars?” Their eyes lit up. And suddenly my hobby made sense. “So that’s what You meant, Lord, when You told us that in the measure we give out, it will be given back,” I said (see Luk_6:38). People garden, paint, remodel, bowl, and collect things only to get bored and go on to the next hobby. If hobbies, however, were used for someone else, what a difference it would make. You who like to gardenmow someone’s lawn for free next Saturday and leave a note on the door saying, “God bless you.” You who like to bakemake some cookies and give them to someone in need in Jesus’ name. You who like to ride bikeshow about taking a kid who doesn’t have a dad on a ride around the lake? In this way, biking, gardening, and baking have meaning because you’re in the workshop using the talents and interests God gave you to share with others. Use those talents only for yourself, and you’ll be boring and shallow. But give them away, and you’ll be blown away with blessing. What a difference the Lord has made in my heart. The workshop has meaning again. The family room is not so chaotic. The dining room satisfies the appetites and cravings of my heart. The study is rich with wisdom and insight. But one day, the Lord said to me, “From the day I came in here, I’ve smelled something foul. It’s making Me illnot because of how it affects Mebut because I know it is poisonous to you and your family. There’s a toxic dump somewhere in this house, and I’ve determined it’s behind that door right down the hall.” “Oh, Lord,” I said, “that’s just an old closet. I’m going to take care of it sometime. I know it stinks, but You’ll grow accustomed to it. Trust me, I’ve had it for a number of years, and I don’t even notice anymore.” “Can I have a look?” He asked. “No, Lord,” I said. “I’ve given You entry into every room in the house of my heart. But that one closet is mine. I know it stinks, but it’s mine. You’re welcome to go where You want and do what You wish in every other roombut that closet belongs to me.” With that, He slipped away into the farthest corner of the home. And suddenly, the family room lost its life. The study became tedious. The old songs began to be played in the recreation room. And the dining room table held only cotton candy and hot fudge sundaes. After several days, I said, “Lord, I don’t want You stuck off in a corner of the house. I want You to move around freely. I need You in my family room. I need You in my study. I need You in the living room. But I can’t deal with that closet, Lord. I don’t know what to do.” “All I’m asking,” He replied, “is that you agree with Me that it stinks and that it’s got to go. I’ll do the restbut you must give me your permission.” That’s what confession is. Confession simply means to agree. That’s why the apostle John says if we confess our sin, He will be faithful and just to forgive our sin and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1Jn_1:9). I had forgotten how good a house could smell. I was reminded of the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. Mary poured ointment on Jesus, and John records that the fragrance filled the whole house (Joh_12:3). In other words, the whole house smelled like Jesus. “Lord, You have been such a wonderful influence in the house of my heart,” I said. “From now on, it’s Your house. I’ll be the guest. You be the owner. Smiling, He said, “I have a better idea. Now that you’ve given Me your house, let’s go to My house. I’ve been working on it for two thousand years. I can’t wait to show you what I’ve prepared for you.” Once I gave Him control of my home, His work was done. Now He could take me to His home. And that’s a whole new story. I can’t tell it to you because eyes have not seen and ears have not heard the things God has prepared for those who love Him (1Co_2:9). It’s a story beyond description. That’s where we’re going, gang. You who, by faith, have allowed Christ to dwell in your hearts, to be at home in your hearts, will soon find yourself at home in the place He’s preparing for you. In the meantime, while we await that day, we can experience a bit of heaven in our lives presently as we allow Him to be at home in every room of our hearts. May the Lord help us to give Him the keys to every closet, the title deed to the home in its entirety. May we be those who say, “Come on in, Lord. It’s all Yours.”

Ephesians 3:18

How can you know something that passes knowledge? How can you be filled with the fullness of God when God cannot even be contained in the universe? I suggest to you the answer lies in this phrase “being rooted and grounded in love.” What is rooted? What is grounded? What is love? The tree of Calvary was rooted. The Cross was grounded. Therefore, the only way I can truly know the love that passes knowledge is by focusing my eyes upon the Cross of Calvary and seeing what is the breadth and the length, the depth and the height of the love of God… I see the breadth of His love as Jesus stretched out His hand on the Cross. To what lengths did He go? Because He was slain before the foundation of the world (Rev_13:8), His sufferings are elongated beyond anything we can comprehend. How deep did Jesus go? Listen as He cried out on the Cross, “My God, My God Why hast Thou forsaken Me?” He cries out, in the depths of despair, from the depth of hell, paying for our sin. What is the height of His love? Look up and see Him on the Cross, praying, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” The only way I can truly know that which passes knowledge is to consider the height, depth, length, and breadth of the Crossthat which was rooted and grounded on a hill called Calvary. I am reminded of this each time I partake of the Lord’s table. Do not forsake the Lord’s table, dear saint, for it is there you will know that which cannot be known. It is there you will be filled with the fullness of God. It is there you will be rooted and grounded in the mystery of God’s love as you consider the Cross.

Ephesians 3:20

“Unto Him be glory in the Church and throughout all the ages.” In other words, what begins here will continue on to a greater degreefor heaven will not be that much different than when we experience His glory here on earth in times of adoration, in times of Communion, in times of meaningful interaction, in times of heartfelt intercession. I suggest that when a person is truly walking in the Spirit, it may take a little while for him to realize he’s in heaven when he finally gets there because he’ll just continue worshiping and rejoicing and experiencing the Lord as he did on earthminus the constraints of time, limited energy, and ever-present flesh. Oh, happy day that will be!