◄ What Does Ephesians 3:15 Mean? ►

Paul was a man of prayer, no matter where he went. Whether he was free or chained up in a Roman jail, he would bow his knee and surrender his heart to his heavenly Father and glorified Lord.

Posture is not important when we pray to God. Whether we stand to pray or sit, kneel, or lift up a silent plea as we go about our daily business, a humble heart that overflows with reverence, praise, worship, and thanksgiving is the identifying mark of a man or woman whose prayers avail much.

Like most prayers that we find in the Scriptures, Paul's intercession was: addressed to the Father; in the power of the Spirit; offered in the name of Jesus. But prayer as always needs to flow from a humble heart that overflows with reverence, praise, worship, and thanksgiving.

In this verse, we find Paul once again bowing the knee to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and he has a special picture in his mind of God the Father as the One: "From Whom the whole family of earth and heaven is named."

It appears that Paul was signifying God as the great Creator and singular Maker of all things. Paul saw God the Father as the Designer and Devisor; the Mastermind and Engineer; the Composer and Completer; the Head and Father of all things in heaven and on earth. For all living things in heaven and on earth owe their existence and life to Him, and upon Him everything residing in heaven or on earth is named.

Scripture however clearly teaches that there is no such thing as the 'universal Fatherhood of God' where all men are saved. It is only by faith in the sacrificial death and glorious Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ that we receive the right to be called children of God and to address God as Abba, Father. Redemption is offered to all, without exception, but is only received by those who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation.

It is only those that believe on the name of Jesus for the forgiveness of sin and life everlasting that are given the right to become Sons of God. It is only those that have been saved by grace through faith in the sacrificial work of the Lord Jesus Christ that have the right to approach the throne of grace for help in time of need.

How we praise God that we were not only born into the human race, but that by faith in Christ we were born again into His heavenly family and have become part of the new creation in Christ. Praise God that we are redeemed, born-again children of God, and joint-heirs with Him.

Dear Lord, thank You that I can call you Abba and that by faith, You are my true and Heavenly Father, through time and into eternity. Thank You that You are not only my Creator, but by grace through faith in Christ, You have redeemed me, and become my true Father. Thank You that I am adopted into Your heavenly family and justified forever. In Jesus' name, AMEN.