Stewarding the Gift of ProphecySample

Day 6 - Intimacy with God

Ephesians 1:17 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. (NKJV)

Without digging deeper into this verse we can think that Paul is telling us to ask the Father for more information, or knowledge, but this is not what Paul is saying. Paul is communicating that he is praying for the believers in Ephesus, asking that God would grant them the spirit of wisdom and revelation (two of the seven spirits of God, as revealed in Isaiah 11:1-3) so that they would increase in the knowledge of God.

Let’s take a look at the word for knowledge from this verse in Greek, epignósis (ep-ig'-no-sis) – knowledge gained through first-hand relationship – properly, "contact-knowledge" that is appropriate ("apt, fitting") to first-hand, experiential knowing.

Paul is praying that they would have knowledge that only comes from knowing God, not just knowledge you read in a book. Paul is praying for the believers in Ephesus to have a deep intimacy with God and grow in supernatural wisdom and revelation, which only comes through truly knowing Jesus Christ.

While we pursue and grow in the gifts of the Spirit, but especially prophecy, it’s of the utmost importance to remember that the Gift Giver, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, takes precedence over the gifts He is giving. Knowing His truth, His nature, His presence, His love, His forgiveness, His power, and His grace is the most important. Knowing Him through a first-hand relationship is the beginning and end.

My experience of growing in these gifts for over 13 years is that the more intimacy we have with our Lord Jesus, the more naturally the fruit and gifts flow from our lives. Intimacy with God is the highest aim.

Matthew 11: 28-30 “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (Message Bible)

Prayer: Lord, draw me close to your heart and show me how to function in Your unforced rhythms of grace.