"Oh Come All Ye Faithful"

"Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints who are in Ephesus, and FAITHFUL IN CHRIST JESUS:" (Ephesians 1:1)

"Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: (so) that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which 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 principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come."(Ephesians 1:15-21)

Paul's prayer for the faithful in Ephesus was that their understanding be enlightened to know what is the hope of Jesus Christ's calling. Paul goes on to pray that the faithful in Christ Jesus understand that the power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead was currently resident in him and those who understand Jesus Christ's calling and are believing, persevering with Him in it!

The Ephesian saints had made room for the foundational components of salvation: "after hearing the word of truth, the gospel of (our) salvation; in whom also, having believed, were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory." (Ephesians 1:13,14)

The FAITHFUL have to continue to COME, armed and strengthened with the understanding Paul's letter brings to light. Merry Christmas!