Filling in The Gaps

Ephesians 3:14-21

Math has been a fascinating subject for me since I was a little boy. I have been amazed at the number of people who find it very difficult. I have learned that many times the difficulty is that people have never learned simple math facts, such as their addition or multiplication tables. Sometimes teachers were in a hurry to get to something more interesting, and neglected the basics. Other times students assumed the knew after a few tries and never became proficient. Sometimes curriculums were changed, and as a result students missed steps that teachers were not aware of.

Thanks to our moving students to other teachers and switching curriculums, such gaps in knowlege may not be spotted for several years, resulting in students deciding they are unable to understand math. A teacher who happens to explain one of these deficiencies may see tremendous improvement in a certain pupil, because they turned the light on. The majority of the knowledge was already known and that one point released the logjam.

Paul is concerned and praying that the Christians would have the logjam in their understanding released so they could experience his action in their lives. It would result in spiritual power, increased faith, greater love to others and greater experience and understanding of God’s love, being filled with the Holy Spirit.

“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, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.” (Ephesians 3:14-19)

The understanding and experience must come from God, because it is humanly impossible to produce. Our best efforts to teach and practice fall short, because only the Spirit can enable us to understand. Curriculums, programs, emotional appeals, or media presentations will never substitute for God’s Spirit.

“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (I Corinthians 2:9-14)

Jesus tells us that the flesh has no spiritual value. God’s word is Spirit .and gives life. “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life,” (John 6:63). II Timothy 3:16-17 tells us “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” God has given his word for us to be completely prepared for everything he expects.

Timothy is repeatedly instructed to study the word of God. II Timothy 2:15 charges him to “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” When we do so, we are assured that the Holy Spirit will teach us the truth. “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you.” (John 16:13-14)

John 8:31-32 makes the same promise. “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

Because of God’s willingness to do this, Paul could expect to see his prayers answered in an abundant fashion. We can expect the same. “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21)