In Ephesians 1:15-21, the Apostle Paul specifically prays that God the Father would give the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Christ particularly with the purpose of enlightening the eyes of the heart to understand the immeasurable greatness of His power toward believers.

While at first we might conclude that we need to grasp an understanding of God’s general power (in creation I am thinking), Paul narrows his specific request to the “might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead” (Ephesians 1:20). To restate, Paul prays earnestly that believers would grow in their understanding of the immeasurable power of God toward them, but particularly the power displayed in the resurrection of Christ.

Now why would Paul want to draw our attention to the resurrection of Christ in order to highlight His redemptive work? Why not focus on the incarnation whereby Christ powerfully stepped across the numerous galaxies to enter our Milky Way galaxy? Why not focus on Christ’s atonement wherein He satisfied the infinite wrath of God? Why would Paul draw our attention to the resurrection as the summation of Christ’s redemptive work in order to underscore Christ’s power?

Well, how confident would you be if someone or something could threaten your salvation that was procured by Christ through his life and death? Well, that something would have to break into the vault of Jesus Christ and that cannot happen because we are secure in Christ! Believer, our future is secured in Christ! You ask, “Are you sure?” Absolutely. What is the basis of this assurance? The resurrection of Christ!

Believer, that is the point of Ephesians 1:16-2:10! The resurrection is the seal of God on the redemptive work of Christ! We can be assured that Jesus’ obedience to the Law of God rendered on our behalf (Romans 5:19) has been accepted by God because of the resurrection. By His obedience, the many will be made righteous.

I am in desperate need for perfect righteousness in order to be accepted by God. Scripture promised that God would impute, reckon the righteousness of Christ to our account through faith in Jesus. Is that righteousness secure? Yes. How can we know? Because Jesus has been raised and has ascended to God’s right hand (Ephesians 1:20).

But what about my sins? Is there any chance that God will open the books and hold my sins against me? Is it possible that sometime in eternity future, my present trespasses against God’s Law whether in word, deed or thought will be brought to the bar of God’s justice? Absolutely not! How can one be so certain? Because our salvation was locked up in the person and work of Christ and He has succeeded therefore I am secure for eternity! The powerful work of God in the resurrection tells me this.

Paul prays that believers would grasp the glory of Christ’s power! May we pray for spiritual eyes to value the power of Christ in the resurrection!