Knowing the Unknowable
Ephesians 3:19, “…to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” (NKJV)
In another of the Apostle Paul’s prayers in this book concerning the walk of the believer he now offers a paradox of intercession. His request is that they may know a love that “…passes knowledge;...” He has prayed for strength in their inner man based upon the Spirit of God dwelling in their hearts through faith to produce a foundation based in love (vv. 14 – 17). This foundation allows them to further “comprehend…what is the width and length and depth and height…” of that love (v. 18).
The emphasis of the prayer is that the disciple be strengthened in the Spirit (v. 16), indwelt by Christ (v. 17), and experience the fullness of God (v. 19). In doing so, the believer will gain a greater understanding of the love of God. Paul relates that as Christ becomes more at home in the heart of the disciple (v. 17) there will be spiritual strength (v. 16) and the development of a greater love in response to that love of God since, “We love him because he first loved us” (1 Jn. 4:19). This is a circular movement spiraling to a greater depth of spiritual transformation.
As we grow closer to God He reveals more of Himself to us causing us to desire to grow even closer to Him. The practice of the biblical spiritual disciplines moves us beyond where we are to even greater depths of faith and understanding. This is the “abundant” life that Jesus offers to us (John 10:10).
The potential of the disciple’s life is that of moving from a “servant” to a “friend” of Jesus (John 15:14 & 15). God’s desire is that we might have intimacy with Him and He has made that possible. Our love for Him motivates us to obedience which allows Him to reveal more of Himself to us increasing our desire to love and obey Him. Jesus stated this very truth in John 14:21, “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” We will gain a greater knowledge of, “…the love of Christ which passes knowledge.” Is God manifesting Himself in my life today? That will be based on my loving obedience to Him and His Word. – Dr. Joe is the pastor of Lakes Community Chapel in Medford, NJ and serves on the Board of America’s Keswick
Compass Pointers: God’s capacity to meet his people’s spiritual needs far exceeds anything they can either request in prayer or conceive by way of anticipation (Phil. 4:7). It is actualized through his power, which continually operates within the lives of believers. A. Skevington Wood
Anchored to the Rock: There is no power like that of prevailing prayer. It turns ordinary mortals into men of power.
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