Paulnot only prayed that they would know God, he prayed that they “may know whatis the hope of His calling”. What is the hope of His calling? It isthe hope that we have because of the calling that we have in Christ Jesus.We're called to salvation. We're called to sanctification. We're called toservice for the Lord Jesus Christ. We are called to live holy lives for Hisglory. With that calling comes hope. When you live for that which is eternalrather than that which is temporal, you are reminding yourself every day, that youhave a hope that's steadfast and sure. You have something to look forward to.

Thishope that belongs to our calling is a dynamic force in our lives. It encouragesus to be pure. 1 John 2:28 –3:3; "Because when we see Him, we shall belike Him. And every man that has this hope in Him purifies himself even as Heis pure." It calls us to live pure, holy lives. “Be ye holy for Iam holy”, God says to us (1 Peter 1:16 ). It calls us to be obedient.Obedient to the Lord, obedient to our leaders, obedient to the truths andleadings of the Holy Spirit in our lives every day. It causes us to befaithful. “Moreover, it's required in a steward that he be found faithful”. InLuke 12, the faithful steward was rewarded. God wants us to be faithful.

Thishope, this living for that which is eternal rather than that which is temporal,gives us something to live for and to be glorified in Christ for. Which leadsus to the third thing that Paul is praying for: “What are the riches ofthe glory of His inheritance in the saints.” Now this is interesting. InEphesians 1:7 we are told that we  havean inheritance in Christ. But now this phrase here in verse 18, does not referto the inheritance that we have in Christ, but to the inheritance that Christhas in us. What an amazing truth that God should look upon us as part of Hisgreat wealth.

Justas a man's wealth brings glory to his name, so God will get glory from thechurch because of what He has invested in us. And when Christ returns for us,we shall be to the praise of the glory of His grace. God deals with us on thebasis of our future, not our past. He said to cowardly Gideon, hiding from theMidianites as he was threshing his wheat, "The Lord is with thee, thoumighty man of valor" (Judges 6:12 ). I can imagine that Gideon lookedaround and said, "Who are you talking to? I'm scared to death." Jesusalso said to Simon, Andrew's brother, "Thou art Simon, you'll be calledCephas”, which means a stone (John 1:42 ). And as you know, Gideon didbecome a mighty man of valor. And Simon did become Peter, a rock.

Myfriend, we live in the future tense even now. And our lives should becontrolled by what we are already in Christ Jesus. Jesus, who for the joy thatwas set before Him, He endured the cross (Hebrews 12:2). He looked forward tothat day, that wonderful day when He would receive His church, His Bride toHimself. “…just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, thatHe might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, thatHe might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkleor any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish” (Ephesians5:25-27).

Onthat great and grand day Jesus Christ will be greatly glorified as He receivesHis inheritance. What a encouragement and blessing to know today that you and Iare a part of His inheritance. But even today, as we live for the future, weshould glorify His name!

Todaywe should desire to be more like Jesus, and can be by looking unto Jesus, theauthor and the finisher of our faith. Jesus lived for the glory of God and soshould we.

Godbless!