Day 139—The Way Forward—Above and Beyond

“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us.” — Ephesians 3:20 (ESV)

Every follower of Jesus Christ has been given both a commission and a calling. The commission is universal. Jesus commanded every believer to “go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19).

We are to proclaim the Gospel, baptize those who believe, teach them to obey Christ, and help them grow into mature disciples who make disciples. But within that shared commission, God also gives each believer a unique calling. Through the gifts of the Holy Spirit, the opportunities He provides, and the leadership of His Spirit, He places every Christian exactly where He desires them to serve for His glory.

The question is not whether God has a purpose for your life. The question is whether you are yielding to it.

Paul understood both his commission and his calling. Writing from a Roman prison, he could have focused on injustice, disappointment, or suffering. Instead, he focused on God's purpose. His chains had not interrupted God's plan; they had become part of it. Dr. Tony Evans wisely observes, “When you're in the will of God, the negative circumstances of your life happen with God's purposes in mind.” Paul's imprisonment did not hinder the Gospel—it advanced it.

Ephesians 3 opens with Paul referring to himself as “a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles” (Ephesians 3:1). Notice carefully that Paul does not call himself a prisoner of Rome. Though Rome held the chains, Christ held the purpose. Paul viewed every circumstance through the sovereignty of God.

Warren Wiersbe outlines this chapter with three simple words: a purpose, a parenthesis, and a prayer. The purpose centers on God's eternal plan to build His Church.

Paul writes, “The mystery was made known to me by revelation” (Ephesians 3:3). In Scripture, a mystery is not something mysterious or unknowable. It is a truth once hidden but now fully revealed by God. The mystery Paul proclaims is that believing Jews and Gentiles are now one body in Jesus Christ. “The Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel” (Ephesians 3:6).

This was revolutionary.
For centuries, the dividing wall between Jew and Gentile had stood firm. But at the cross, Jesus tore that wall down. The Church is not divided by ethnicity, nationality, social status, or background. Every believer stands equally at the foot of the cross, redeemed by the same blood, filled with the same Spirit, and called into the same family.

Paul says he became “a minister according to the gift of God's grace” (Ephesians 3:7). Ministry was not something he achieved; it was something God graciously entrusted to him. The same is true for every believer. Whatever gifts you possess, whatever opportunities stand before you, whatever influence you have—they are all gifts of God's grace.

Jesus declared, “I will build my church” (Matthew 16:18). Yet in His wisdom, He has chosen to accomplish that work through ordinary people empowered by an extraordinary God.

That raises an important question:

• Are you helping build what Jesus is building?
• Is your life contributing to the strengthening of His Church?
• Are you intentionally praying for people, caring for people, sharing Christ with people, and investing in the next generation of disciples?

The Church grows as ordinary believers faithfully live out the Great Commission in their homes, workplaces, neighborhoods, classrooms, and communities.

Paul then pauses to pray one of the most beautiful prayers recorded in the New Testament. “For this reason I bow my knees before the Father” (Ephesians 3:14). In Jewish culture, prayer was often offered standing. Yet Paul kneels, reflecting humility, dependence, and reverence before God.

His prayer is not primarily for physical comfort, financial provision, or favorable circumstances. Instead, Paul prays for spiritual strength. “That according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being” (Ephesians 3:16).
The greatest battles in life are often won or lost on the inside.

Paul prays that Christ would dwell richly in their hearts through faith and that they would be “rooted and grounded in love” (Ephesians 3:17). Like a mighty tree whose roots grow deep into fertile soil and like a building resting securely on an unshakable foundation, believers are to anchor their lives in the love of Christ.

Then Paul prays something that seems almost impossible. He asks believers to “have strength to comprehend… what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge” (Ephesians 3:18–19).

How can we know something that surpasses knowledge?

Paul is describing a love that can be experienced more deeply than it can ever be fully explained. God's love is inexhaustible. No matter how long we walk with Christ, we will never reach the limits of His mercy, grace, patience, holiness, wisdom, or love. Throughout eternity, we will continue discovering new dimensions of His greatness.

Perhaps that is why faith is so essential. Finite minds cannot fully comprehend an infinite God. Yet while we cannot fully understand Him, we can fully trust Him.
Paul concludes his prayer with one of the greatest doxologies ever written: “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20).

Our God is not merely able to meet expectations. He is able to exceed them.

• He is able to rescue three Hebrew men from a fiery furnace.
• He is able to shut the mouths of hungry lions.
• He is able to give sight to the blind and life to the dead.
• He is able to keep His children from stumbling.
• He is able to save completely those who come to Him (Hebrews 7:25).
• He is able to make “all grace abound to you” (2 Corinthians 9:8).
• And He is able to do infinitely more than your greatest prayer, highest dream, or deepest imagination.

Dr. Tony Evans illustrates this beautifully by comparing the believer to a fire hydrant. A fire hydrant appears small, yet tremendous force flows through it because it is connected to an immense reservoir. The power is not found within the hydrant itself but in what it is connected to.

The same is true of every Christian. We are not the source of God's power. We are simply vessels connected to an inexhaustible reservoir.

When our fellowship with Christ is healthy, His power flows through our lives. But when sin, pride, fear, or unbelief interrupts that fellowship, we begin living beneath the resources already available to us.

Perhaps today you feel spiritually dry, discouraged, or ineffective. Maybe you have forgotten that the same Holy Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead lives within you. Reconnect your heart to Christ. Spend time in His Word. Bow before Him in prayer. Walk in obedience. Trust His promises. He is still able. He is still working. And He is still accomplishing far more than you can presently see.

Today, yield yourself completely to God's commission and calling. Let His love deepen your faith, let His Spirit strengthen your heart, and let His power flow through your life. For His glory, and for the building of His Church, may your life become a testimony that our God still does above and beyond all we ask or imagine.

Prayer
Father, thank You for calling us into Your eternal purpose and allowing us to participate in building Your Church. Strengthen us through Your Holy Spirit in our inner being so that Christ may dwell richly in our hearts through faith. Root and ground us in Your love, and help us grasp more fully the immeasurable greatness of Your grace and power. Forgive us for relying on our own strength instead of drawing from the endless reservoir of Your Spirit. Use our gifts, opportunities, and influence to make disciples and glorify Your name. We praise You because You are able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all we ask or imagine. May our lives display Your power, Your love, and Your glory to a watching world. In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.

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