If Only You Could See Your Future, Christian

Sometimes I take a look at myself and think, “Look at you! You’ve been following Jesus all these years and where are you? You’re still getting caught out by the same old sins: old habits that keep coming back. And the selfishness! Don’t talk to me about the selfishness. And…” Well, I could go on all day. The fact is, I can see a depth of filth in my heart now that I had no idea was there at the start. Sometime it feels like I’m going backward, not making progress. Is it just me? Does the same thing happen to you? Do you get frustrated? Do you get discouraged? Do you ever despair?

It doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re not making progress. It’s just a fact that as you go on in the Christian life you grow to love the Lord more and your heart becomes more sensitive to sin. You’re more aware of it now. So maybe you are making progress, or maybe you’re not. Either way I think you’ll enjoy Ephesians 1. It’s become one of my favourite Bible passages of late.

It’s great stuff, the whole chapter. Have a good read, take your time, chew it over slowly, relish the blessings Paul has listed in verses 3 to14: blessings all of which you already have Christian. Then take a look at his prayer for the believers in Ephesus, in verses 15 – 23, and the three things he wants them to know.

“…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, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe,.”

Ephesians 1:18 – 19

First, Paul prays that they’ll know what is the hope to which God has called them. When somebody calls you, there’s always a reason. It was the same when God called you: He had a reason. For one thing, He called you so He could give you all those blessings you’ve just been thinking about. He called you so He can make you holy — Paul said that in verse 4. He called you so He can bring you to Heaven — that’s the inheritance Paul talks about in verse 11. All those things, and more besides, were in God’s mind when He called you. You’ve experienced some of it already, but you haven’t yet experienced the half it and what you have experienced is nothing compared to what’s still to come. You’ve grown some in holiness: seen yourself become more like Jesus, but what you’ve seen is only a start: you’re on your way to perfect sinlessness. You’ve already enjoyed being in God’s presence and worshipping with His people, but what will Heaven be like? There’s so much of what God called you for still to come. If only you could get a glimpse of what’s ahead of you: a glimpse of the hope to which He, God, has called you.

Next Paul prays that they’ll know what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints. Every Christian has a guaranteed inheritance coming his or her way one day. Paul has just said so and Peter wrote about it too.

“…an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

1 Peter 1:4 – 5

But that’s not what Paul’s talking about here. Look again. He’s talking about an inheritance that Jesus has coming to Him. It’s a rich and glorious inheritance and it’s you Christian: it’s His saints. One day Jesus’ bride, the church, will be presented to Him and He’ll say, “Look Father, they’re all mine. I suffered and died for them and they’re all mine, aren’t they just lovely? So rich and glorious, so perfect in every way. Father I just love them, I just love every one of them.” One day you’ll come into your inheritance and you’ll be more happy than you can imagine. Don’t you look forward to that? Well, so does Jesus. He looks forward to the same day when He’ll receive you into Heaven as part of His glorious inheritance in the saints. If only you could see how that day looks to Him. Just a glimpse

Then Paul prays that they’ll know what is the immeasurable greatness of His power toward us who believe. If you could only get a glimpse, of the power that’s working to fulfil the hope of your calling and bring you into your inheritance and to bring you to Jesus as His. It’s the immeasurable power of God, Paul says. It’s the same power that made the entire universe out of nothing. It’s the same power…

“…that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.”

Ephesians 1:20 – 22

If you only had a glimpse of that: just some inkling of an idea.

It has to be one of the best prayers you could pray for any Christian and it’s my prayer for you because if you could see your future in Christ: if you could get even a glimpse of where it’s all going’ and how one day you are going to thrill the heart of Jesus, and if you could have an idea of the power that’s taking you there, your heart would be fit to burst with joy. You certainly wouldn’t get despondent or discouraged when you look at the state of your Christian life.

It’s a great prayer. It’s my prayer for you. Pray it for each other. Pray it for yourself.