Ephesians 3:14-15. "For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named."
P aul deeply felt the value of untiring prayer. He highly prized and duly used his privilege of free access to the mercy-seat. Well did he know that never could he sue in vain. If not the exact petition, surely some other blessing would be granted. Here he was a close follower of his beloved Lord. The early morn, the mountain brow, the solitary hill, the midnight hour, witnessed the communion of Christ with God. His sojourn upon earth was converse with His Father. Thus Paul constantly implored his converts to petition for him.What he asked he largely gave, and gave with wrestling importunity. Mark his words to the Colossians, "I would that you knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh." When he writes his first epistle his earliest words bear testimony to his fervent zeal. "We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in my prayers." To quote only one additional evidence, hear his words to the Philippians, "I thank my God on every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy." The epistle before us gives repeated proof. May the Holy Spirit by these examples, and by frequent precepts, make us diligent in this heavenly work!
To pray is to prosper. But let not prayer be selfish. Let it not be limited to our own need. Boundless is the need before us. Let boundless supplications spread it all before the mercy-seat. In the present passage Paul teaches us that though he drew near with boldness, it was the boldness of the most lowly reverence. He falls humbly in prostration before his God. He bows the knee before his lips make known his requests. Let the like reverence fill our hearts, and make us meek and reverential suppliants.
We are permitted indeed to speak, no, to wrestle and cease not. But let us remember that our dealings are with Jehovah on His mercy seat the omnipotent Sovereign of the universe, the infinite and eternal God. Paul knew this; and he humbly knelt.
But he adds wondrous words descriptive of his near relationship to God. Let us duly ponder them, and may the Spirit render them strength and encouragement in our approaches to a prayer-hearing God! Precious are the calls to this exercise. May we listen to them and thoroughly obey! Precious are the encouragements which assure us of a gracious audience. Let each administer strength and boldness to us in this holy exercise! Among these encouragements none shine more brightly than that which is here exhibited. We are invited to draw near to God as the Father of the blessed Jesus,and as the Father of the family of faith.
To whom do we draw near? The Father of the blessed Jesus. Will not He hear those who cry in His dear Son's Name; who plead the merits of His only begotten; who present all their supplications as one with Christ? When we thus cry, Abba, Father, surely His ears will be open, surely a smile of welcome will beam lovingly, surely answers rich in fullness will be granted. Jesus said, "I know that You hear Me always." This truth flows down to all the members of His mystic body. We come as they who are the Father's gift unto Jesus.
We come as the bride of the Heavenly Bridegroom, as the members of Him who is the Head of the body, as the sheep of His pasture, as the jewels of His mediatorial crown, as they in whom He had delight before the worlds were framed, as they whom He will love while endless ages roll. We come as they whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life, as they for whom the blood of God was shed, as they whom celestial righteousness enrobes, as they for whom thrones in heaven are provided, as they for whom Jesus testified, "The glory which You gave Me, I have given them." Thus we approach the Father of the blessed Jesus. Let all fears and doubts and hesitations vanish! God would as soon deny His Son as those whom His Son represents.
But in this verse there is a superadded encouragement. We come to God as to our own Father. The expressions in the verse which reveal this truth lose much of their force by the insufficiency of translated language. A name is here given to believers which implies that God is their Father. We trace it in the declaration that believers constitute one family. But there can be no family without a presiding Father. Hence in Christ we are privileged to cry directly to God, Abba, Father. O blessed family! Who can depict their privileges and their joys! This family has existed from all eternity in the counsels of heaven.
It will exist through never-ending ages. The elders of this family have already passed through the grave and gate of death to the happy mansions of the redeemed. Their race is run, their fight is fought, their struggle is endured, their victory is won their triumph is secured. We now are prisoners in the flesh. But soon we too shall be conquerors through the blood of the Lamb, and help to contribute to the blessed company. We shall be presented through our Elder Brother, who will recognize us as given of the Father unto Him. But while we tarry, let us tarry at heaven's gate, daily and hourly crying, Abba, Father.
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