to know the love of Christ

.... which surpasses knowledge; in order that you may be filled with all the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:19).  The list of things Paul prays for the Ephesians starts with asking that they strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man (verse 16). Within the Christian community we likely know of individuals whose body is in trouble, but whose spirit shines with the inner light of Christ. This is what Paul is praying for,  that this inner man be strong,  independent of what is happening on the outside. This kind of strength is related to the next request that Christ dwell in our hearts by faith (verse 17a). We often pray for revival, for a visitation of the Spirit of God. Paul is not praying for a visitation, he is praying for a habitation, a  permanent residence of Christ in our hearts.  This can only happen as we respond in faith to the external, often difficult circumstances of life.

And this happens as we are rooted, grounded and established in agape love  (verse 17b).  Agape is the Greek word for God's extravagant healing love. It is this love with which the Lord so loved the World that He gave His one and only Son so that those who believe in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16). It is the love with which He loved us that while we were yet sinners, and His enemies,  He died for us (Romans 5:8, 10). Paul goes on in his prayer praying for,  while essentially describing this love which establishes us.  It is multidimensional, and it surpasses understanding.  Yet this love that is incomprehensible is nevertheless something that is within our grasp to know. We are not talking here about mere intellectual knowledge, though that is a component of it. It is something that we are intended to experience, and something I, for one, want more of.

You probably know of, or have heard of  those who burst into tears when being told that God loves them.  What is happening in such cases,  is that the words come with what we call unction. They come with a power for the person to believe, and with the feeling of being truly loved. Another way to say this is they are getting a revelation of His love, revelation that touches the heart and the spirit,  and allows us to know in our innermost being (the inner man) that we are truly loved.  Such love is an establishing love, it brings with it a sense of security and enables us to face anything. It also facilitates our becoming overcomers.  It is this love that made Paul willing to forsake everything he previously valued,  in order to gain it and the power of His resurrection (Philippians 3:7, 10).

Lord Jesus,  I pray for myself and all those reading this blog that we may be rooted and grounded in love, that we may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height of Your Love,  and that more and more we may know this very love which passes knowledge and that  we be filled with all the fullness of God (verses 17-19). Give us the grace to let go of anything and everything that might hinder our receiving this love,  and we will give You the praise and Glory in Your precious and Holy Name Amen