25246 The Fullness of God’s Love

Ephesians 3:14–21
After that day at Edna’s, as I began to know and experience more of God’s love, one of the first Bible passages to come alive to me was from Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3. Paul prayed, “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 (vv.17–19).
I experienced something of the profound depths of this Scripture one evening as I was sitting on a boat dock looking out over a lake in the mountains. The sun was setting and the water glistened with dancing shades of bronze and golden. Trees dotted the lakeshore and to my left a rugged, stone mountain rose into the scattered, wispy clouds.
Alone on the dock the thoughts came gently to me. “Mary, I love you. My creation is a love gift to you. My love for you has no end. It has a width, a length, a depth and a height. I love you with a four-dimensional love that exceeds all you can think or imagine.”
In those moments as the sunset, I was overwhelmed with the vastness and expanse of God’s love for me. Tears ran down my cheeks as I let His love flood me.
Now, years later, I can more fully understand the depths of Paul’s prayer for us. Yes, there is faith. By faith we are born again into Spirit-to-spirit connection with God. Jesus dwells in our hearts through faith. But there is also love. In Spirit-to-spirit connection with God, we come to know and experience His love for us. And, as I understand it now, that love brings with it amazing promises!
When Paul prays for the Ephesians, he does not ask God to give them healthy and prosperous lives. He prays God’s eternal best for them. He prays for the promises faith brings. And he prays for the fullness of the promises love brings … “that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”
Read Ephesians 3:14–21.
14For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18may 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, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
20Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.

Questions

  1. In verses 14–15, notice Paul’s posture. How does he come before the Father? How do you typically come to God in prayer?
  2. In verses 16–17, what does Paul ask the Father to give us “through faith”?
  3. In verse 17, what do you think Paul means when he prays about “being rooted and established in love”? How are you “rooted and established” in God’s love?
  4. We typically think in three dimensions, yet, in verse 18, Paul describes God’s love as having four dimensions: “wide and long and high and deep.” Think of five or more words that best describe God’s love.
  5. Often our prayers focus on physical concerns and the pressures of life. Make a list of the specific requests Paul makes in this prayer. What does this list tell you about God’s desire for the Ephesians?
  6. In verse 19, what does Paul ask the Father to give us?
  7. How do you think “filled to the measure of all the fullness of God” relates to “the fruit of the Spirit”? (See Galatians 5:22–23; lesson 4.)
  8. Imagine someone who is “filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” Describe what he/she is like?
  9. Verses 20–21 are an outburst of praise to God. Let your heart sing along with Paul’s words. Compose your own verse(s) of praise to the Lord.
  10. What is God saying to you today through this passage?
  11. If Paul’s prayer became a reality for you, what do you think your life would look/be like?
  12. Sit quietly before God. Think about what it means to know the love of Christ “that surpasses knowledge.” Open yourself to deeper and deeper understanding of His love. Share a few thoughts.

Reflection
Read Paul’s prayer again, this time making it your personal prayer to God. You are kneeling before God your Father. Where Paul prays “you,” replace with “me” or “I.” Where Paul prays, “your,” replace with “my.” You are crying out to be strengthened by the Spirit in your inner being. You are pleading to know the love of God … that you might be filled to overflowing with God.
You may want to make Paul’s prayer your prayer for someone else. Reread the passage inserting their name into the text.

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