Text: Ephesians 3:14-21
“…and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” —Ephesians 3:19
This week I have been teaching English and coaching American sports during winter camp in Korea. The book of Ephesians has been our curriculum for English studies. There is no better way to learn a second language than using the expression and articulation of the Word of God. It is a love letter demonstrating God’s heart for every nation, tribe, and people.
In Ephesians 3, Paul bowed his knees “before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,” and prayed that followers of Jesus would be “strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”
“Comprehending” the dimensions of God’s love “with all the saints” (in community with others) is the pathway to truly “knowing” that which “surpasses knowledge.” Experiencing the “fullness of God” in community with others stretches us to grow our faith and to learn a dimension of grace that cannot be known through individual spiritualism. It also gives credence to others that God’s Word is legit in our lives (or evidence that the Gospel is REAL in our hearts). Paul envisioned God’s glory revealed through the church (v. 21)—as a unified whole, not as isolated entities, which is precisely what Jesus prayed for in John 17 for us to be “one” as he and the Father are one.
The “breadth” of God’s love is wide enough to include every person on earth. The “length” of His love is long enough to transcend all of eternity. The “height” of His love is high enough to intercede for us even in heavenly places. The “depth” of His love is deep enough to reach down into the mire and save the worst of sinners. To know this love that surpasses knowledge is the sublime privilege of the Christian. It is not only attainable, but mandated as part of our commissioning to reveal the Gospel to the whole world.
The preferred outcome in the apostle’s prayer was God’s glory being revealed through the image of His body, the church. We can foster that glory, or rob God of His glory, in the way we choose or refuse to flesh out the Gospel in community with others. Think about that as you seek to abide in Him this week.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank you that we can truly know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, and thank you for making it possible for us to be filled with all the fullness of God. This was Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3, but it was an extension of Christ’s passion. Holy Spirit, teach us what it looks like for us to be intentional about comprehending this love in community with others.
Questions for Personal Application or Group Discussion:
- What makes it hard for some people to accept that God loves all people?
- In what ways have you limited God’s love from reaching others through your life?
- As you read Ephesians 3:14-21, what is revealed about the heart of God? What is revealed about Jesus, the Gospel, and the church?
- What are those prevailing idols/attitudes/fears/patterns/sins that are resistant to you being filled with “all the fullness of God” in this stage of your life?
- How can you be intentional this week about becoming more “rooted and grounded” in love?