Last week, we learned from Paul the nature of the blessings which are ours in Christ. Paul the Apostle now gives thanks to God for Gentile conversion and assures them of his prayers inverses 15–16. Paul goes on to pray that God will give the Ephesians that wisdom and knowledge of Himself. Paul reminds them and us that it is the Spirit who is the author of this wisdom and knowledge in verse 17. In verses 18-19, Paul’s prayer is that their eyes might be enlightened properly to understand the nature and value of that hope which is founded in the call of God, the glory of the inheritance to be enjoyed among the saints, and the greatness of that power which had already been exercised in their conversion. The power which effects our spiritual resurrection is the same power which they experienced, and that was the same power which raised Christ from the dead.

Paul wrote letters to the churches which he planted in the ancient world. So much of Christian theology comes from these letters. He wrote letters as a pastor charged with the watch-care of the flock of God. The Book of Ephesians is one of thoseletters.

Abram and Lot are opposite in many ways. Abram walked by faith; Lot walked by sight. Abram was magnanimous; Lot was greedy. Abram looked for city whose builder and maker wasGod; Lot made his home in cities built by wicked men which were later destroyed by God. Abram becomes the father of all them that believe; Lot becomes the father (through incest) of 2 different pagan nations—the Moabites and Ammonites.Concerning Abraham, Romans 4:13 says, “For the promise that he would be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or to hisseed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.” Gen. 19:30 tells us that Lot lived in a cave. Thus, Abram inherits the world through righteousness of faith, Lot is not heard from again. So, it should not be a surprise to us that eventually, they part ways.