How to Walk in the Power God Has Given You

Have you ever discovered that something valuable had been available to you all along—you simply didn’t know it?

That idea sits at the heart of Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 1. He is writing to Christians with a strong reputation. They were known for their faith in Jesus and their love for others. Yet Paul still prayed that God would give them greater wisdom, revelation, and understanding.

Why?

Because no matter how long you have followed Jesus, there is always more to discover about who He is and who you are in Him.

Paul wasn’t primarily asking God to give the Ephesian believers something new. He was asking God to open their eyes so they could understand what was already theirs.

The Eyes of Your Heart Can Be Opened

Ephesians 1:17–18 describes Paul praying that believers would receive wisdom and revelation in knowing Christ and that the “eyes of your hearts” would be enlightened.

We all have blind spots.

It is possible to know a lot about God while still missing something God wants us to understand. Spiritual maturity isn’t reaching a point where there is nothing left to learn. It is continually discovering more of the greatness of Jesus.

Paul specifically wanted Christians to understand three things:

Each one changes how we see ourselves and how we live.

1. Know the Hope of God’s Calling

Biblical hope is more than positive thinking.

The world often uses hope to mean, “Maybe this will happen.” Christian hope is different because it is grounded in the character and promises of God.

God called you before you ever called on Him.

Through Jesus, He pursued you, forgave you, brought you into His family, and gave your life a new purpose. Salvation is not only about what God saved you from. It is also about what God saved you for.

Followers of Jesus are called to represent Christ, make Him known, and carry His presence into the world around them.

And our hope extends beyond our circumstances today. The God who began His work in us is faithful to complete it.

Hope isn’t merely optimism. Hope is confidence in God.

2. Understand How Valuable You Are to God

Paul also prays that believers would understand “the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.”

We often think only about the inheritance God has prepared for us. But this passage also points toward the incredible value God places on His people.

You belong to Him.

You have been chosen by the Father, purchased through the work of Jesus, and sealed by the Holy Spirit.

Your worth is not ultimately measured by your accomplishments, failures, income, status, influence, or the opinions of other people.

Your value is demonstrated by what God was willing to give to make you His own.

Understanding your identity in Christ changes the way you live. When you know you belong to God, you no longer have to live desperately trying to prove your worth.

3. Walk in the Power of God

Paul then describes “the immeasurable greatness” of God's power toward those who believe.

This is not an abstract spiritual idea.

Paul tells us exactly what kind of power he means: resurrection power.

It is the power God demonstrated when He raised Jesus Christ from the dead.

The cross is the ultimate demonstration of God's love. The resurrection is the ultimate demonstration of His power.

And Jesus was not only raised from the grave. He was exalted to the throne.

Ephesians 1 explains that Christ is seated above every rule, authority, power, dominion, and name.

Jesus is alive.

Jesus reigns.

Jesus has authority.

And Paul says God's power is working toward us who believe.

You Don't Have to Live Powerless

One of the biggest mistakes Christians can make is constantly asking God to give them power while never recognizing what God has already made available through Christ.

Paul isn't simply praying for believers to receive more power. He wants them to understand the power they already have.

The power that raised Christ enables us to overcome sin.

The power that conquered the grave gives us hope in seemingly impossible situations.

The power of Christ enables us to stand against fear, shame, guilt, hopelessness, and the attacks of the enemy.

You don't have to manufacture God's power.

You need your eyes opened to it.

Don't Build Your Life Around Your Limitations

The Old Testament story of Mephibosheth gives us a powerful illustration of what happens when someone does not understand what belongs to them.

Mephibosheth was the son of Jonathan and grandson of King Saul. He had royal blood, but after tragedy struck his family, he spent years living far away from the palace.

Eventually, living beneath his position became normal.

Yet a covenant had already been made on his behalf.

The promise existed.

The provision existed.

His inheritance existed.

He simply did not know what had been made available to him.

Christians can do the same thing spiritually.

When you don't know what God says about you, you can adjust to less. You can organize your entire life around limitations God never intended to define you.

You can begin thinking like someone abandoned even though you've been adopted.

You can think like someone powerless even though God's Spirit lives within you.

You can live like someone without hope even though God has given you an eternal hope.

The Church Is Called to Fill Every Space

Ephesians 1 concludes by describing Jesus as the head of the church and the church as His body.

That means followers of Jesus are not called to withdraw from the world. We are called to carry His presence into it.

We should bring hope into the spaces we enter.

Bring joy into the room.

Bring encouragement into the room.

Bring wisdom into our workplaces.

Bring integrity into leadership.

Bring compassion into our communities.

Bring the light of Jesus wherever darkness exists.

Jesus called His followers salt and light because Christians are meant to have a positive, Christ-centered influence in the world around them.

Start Living Like You Know What You Have

Paul's prayer in Ephesians 1 is still a powerful prayer for Christians today:

God, open our eyes.

Help us understand the hope of our calling.

Help us understand how deeply You value us.

Help us understand the immeasurable power You have made available through Christ.

The God who called you is the God who saved you.

The God who saved you is the God who empowers you.

And the Jesus who died for you, rose for you, and reigns over all things is still at work in you.

Don't settle for living beneath what God has made available.

Ask God to open the eyes of your heart—and start walking in the hope, identity, and power that are already yours in Christ.