THE LOVE OF GOD

THE LOVE OF GOD

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. —Ephesians 3:16-19

Paul, that once violent persecutor of the church, now prays for the believers at Ephesus that out of God’s “glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being.” The reason Paul prayed this is that he desired that “Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith” —“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

Because of the Ephesians having Christ “dwell in (their) hearts through faith” they were “rooted and established in love.” Are you and I “rooted and established in love?” If Jesus dwells in us, if we truly have called on His Name then we are to be rooted and established in love. We are to love God and neighbor (Matthew 22:37-40). We have power through Jesus and with all God’s people we are “to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” Are you and I understanding “the love of Christ” more and more? Do we really know “this love that surpasses knowledge?” If so then we are being “filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” May we be filled with Him and not ourselves! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sc6SSHuZvQE

The love of God is the motivation, or should be, for everything— everything we think, speak or act. Oh, that we who claim the Name of Jesus be constantly growing in His awesome love to the glory of God. May it be so! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUy3yaSd9b0

Dear Father may I understand more and more Your love for me and live accordingly. Oh, that I would love people as You do— loving concern for the saved, compassion on the lost. May this be so in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Jesus my Lord. So be it!