To Know This Love Absolutely (Ephesians 3:14-21)

The Apostle Paul—man, that guy knew how to pray.  I like the Apostle Paul.  He was a word guy who wrote long sentences, deep in meaning, precise in exposition, and with his passion evident in every word.  His ministry was launched with Jesus’ saying, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” (Acts 9:4) and the equally amazing Acts 9:16 “I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”  Not the commissioning most of us would want.

Yet because Paul suffered, even to the point of a mysterious thorn to keep him humble (2 Corinthians 12:7), he lived his post-conversion days in awe of the love of Christ, the grace of Christ, the forgiveness and mercy of Christ, and he is arguably the most influential man this world has ever known, apart from Jesus.

Today, I’d like to look at one of his prayers in Ephesians in which he lays out a series of absolutes we can count on to encourage our hearts and touch our spirits.

Ephesians 3:14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge– that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 20 Now 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, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Returning to our idea of absolutes, think about it:  Look at all the absolutes and supremacies listed by Paul in the Scripture above. 

• In what ways do we participate in these absolutes? 
• In what ways does love surpass knowledge?  What are the implications of that? 
• How big is God’s love? 
• How long does this relationship of love last?

.

Praise God for His calling us forth to know Him more and more!  Praise Him for His power!  Praise Him for His indwelling Holy Spirit who teaches, admonishes, and guides!  Praise Him for the enormity of His magnificent love shown to us in Christ Jesus!  Praise Him and glorify Him on earth as He is glorified in heaven!  Praise Him all creation!  Praise Him all saints and all generations!  O Praise Him!