—that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
may have strength to comprehend
with all the saints
what is the breadth and length and height and depth
and to know the love of Christ
that surpasses knowledge,
that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
(Ephesians 3:17-19)
We’re almost to the end of Paul’s prayer. I’ve been taking it phrase by phrase, but I believe this last part is one BIG thought.
In the first part – that you, being rooted and grounded in love – is Paul’s desire. Many times what really hits me in a verse starts with what it DOES NOT say.
I hear many sermons that stress living rooted in the Word of God. And this is also true. However, Paul here says that we must be rooted and grounded in LOVE. So which is it? Rooted and grounded in LOVE or in TRUTH? YES! It is not an either/or, but a both/and. What you are rooted in contributes to the quality of the fruit you produce. What Paul is asking requires being rooted and grounded in LOVE.
It is important to be rooted in truth, but honestly, our limited brains can only understand so much of God’s truth. I remember a few years ago, I was mulling over something from the bible. Suddenly, things I had questioned or “put on a shelf” started falling into place and I had an “Aha, that’s how it all fits together” moment. And right on the heels of that thought, I heard in my spirit, “You only have a small corner of the truth.” Now, don’t get me wrong, I believe it makes God happy when we seek truth, and Holy Spirit leads us into truth. But remember, Jesus is The Truth, and we’ll have all eternity to get to know Him better.
We’ve all known people who get so focused on what the Bible says that they use it as a club and beat people over the head with it. We become like the Sadducees and Pharisees, and we know how Jesus dealt with them.
Paul prays for us to be rooted and grounded in LOVE so we have STRENGTH to comprehend the Love of God. His love is multidimensional. He wants us to comprehend the breadth and length and height and depth of God’s love. WOW! Is that even possible?!?! God’s love is big. You cannot put it in a box, or even in a specific time. It is complete, absolute, true, unlimited… and I could list adjectives from now until the cows come home. And God’s LOVE, demonstrated through Jesus, surpasses knowledge.
How do we become rooted in God’s love? John 15: 1 ,4-6, 8 tells us.
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
Why do we need strength for that? Why didn’t he say we need a high IQ or increased mental acuity? All of us – all the saints – need strength because it is so wonderful it will knock our socks off, but also because love costs us. It cost Jesus. It cost Father God. It costs the Holy Spirit. It requires more than just talk. We cannot be self-centered and really love anyone – even God – well. It requires giving. It requires submission. It requires doing whatever it takes to accomplish Papa’s will – to bring His children back, to bring His kingdom here on earth as it is in heaven.
And the end goal? That you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Not just a little. ALL the FULLNESS of God. That seems impossible given our limited size, lifetime, abilities, character, and so on. But that is the desired outcome. Being filled with all the fullness of God doesn’t leave much room for fear, worry, selfishness, doubt, confusion, anger, mixed loyalties, and … and… and.
Can you imagine? What would our churches look like if we were filled with all the fullness of God? What would our relationships look like? Our families? Our politics? How would we react with those who differ with us? How would our speech be different?
Does this seem unreachable? Unattainable? Impossible until we get to heaven? This can only happen with Holy Spirit and won’t ever be complete… because God is infinite.
Remember this:
The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead lives in us – His Blood-bought children… in you. (see Romans 8:11)
“I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me? (Jeremiah 32:27)
Holy Spirit,
Fill us.
More and more,
Everyday.
Thank you
For your Faithfulness.
Thank you
For never giving up on us.
Amen