Ephesians 3:13

Ephesians 3:13 says, Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.  Paul was still referring to the power and glory of Christ when he asked that his fellow believers not faint at his tribulations.  We today may see devout Christians suffering and begin to question why we should ever serve God.  Paul said that instead of causing his fellow believers to faint in their faith that they should know that his tribulations were for their glory.  Verse fourteen adds, For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,  Paul said that since his tribulations were for the glory of others, that they might know the truth of the gospel, he bowed to the Father and unto our Lord Jesus Christ.  If we are suffering tribulation today because of our faith, we need to simply bow to God.  We also need to acknowledge that we are not alone.  Christ is not just my Savior and Lord, but as Paul said He is our Savior and Lord.  Verse fifteen continues, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,  Paul tells us that there is only one name by which we become a part of the family of God, and that is Jesus Christ.  He also tells us that we are all part of the same family, whether in heaven or still here on earth.  Verse sixteen states, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;  We can be assured that our inner man, or our spiritual nature is strengthened by the Holy Spirit.  We no longer have to rely on our own strength and understanding, but we have the Holy Spirit to strengthen and guide us.  Though some situations in life may not be clearly right or wrong, if we rely on the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we will always know what is truly right.  Though at times we may feel our strength falter, if we rely on the strength of the Holy Spirit we will never be defeated.  Verse seventeen adds, That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,  Paul says that when Christ lives in us by faith in Him that we will be rooted and grounded in love.  When we live under the love of God, we will always do what is best, not for our own advantage, but for the glory of God and the welfare of others as well.  Verse eighteen continues, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;  Paul is still speaking of the love of God shown to us through Christ.  We need to remember daily the completeness of God's love. Verse nineteen says, And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.  Paul said that the love of Christ passes all knowledge.  We cannot fully understand the love that Christ willing showed the world by His death, burial, and resurrection in our place.  Yet, when we accept Christ as Savior and Lord, we should be filled with the goodness of God.  Verse twenty adds, 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,  The Him that Paul was referring to is God, and not any person in the world.  God, through Christ's sacrifice and through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is able to do so much more than we ask or even think.  Verse twenty-one continues, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.  Paul told the Christians at Ephesus and all that come after them that we should live to bring glory to Christ.  This will continue to be our purpose as long as the world stands.