and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.
Ephesians 3:17-19
Did you notice the progression involved here? Paul said I pray that you being rooted and grounded in love may comprehend the depth (dimensions of that love) and once comprehending you would come to know that love of which Paul talks. Do you realize you are on a love journey? Do you know where you are on the journey? It’s like when we are on a tramp through a state forest or walking trail which has signs along it indicating “You are here”. Do you know where you are on the journey of love?
The starting place is being rooted and grounded in love. God initiates that, you don’t have to do a thing except realize it and accept it. We love because God first loved us.
God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8
Wow what an incredible kind of love that is! Do you know love like that? Well you can, simply by experiencing it and taking it all in. The question therefore at this point is whether you are able to take it all in.
He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the sons of Israel.
Psalm 103:7
Now how was it that Moses knew His ways while the people of Israel just observed His acts? i.e. Understood the significance of what was behind God’s actions and the things He did for them. The Bible tells us why :-
Now therefore, I pray You, if I have found favour in Your sight, let me know Your ways that I may know You, so that I may find favour in Your sight.
Exodus 33:13
Maybe it is time for you to ask God to help you understand His love. Because you are rooted and grounded in His love. Understanding the love is the most important thing. After all that is the most important commandment – to love the Lord your God with all your heart and mind and strength and everything else you have is your prime occupation. Then begin to understand that you are rooted and grounded in love. Notice that Paul starts with that premise in terms of setting the framework for comprehending the dimensions of His love. Before you can understand the length and breadth and height and depth of His love you have to realise you are born again in love. Love is what started it all. That is why Paul starts with a participle – Being rooted and grounded in love . . . That is the first step to understanding His love.
Next we have to move on to grasping its dimensions. There is nothing like the depth of the love of God. When you come to understand just how much you are loved by God, it is life changing. We equate God’s love with our love. But that falls so far short. That is why in Biblical terms they had to resurrect an old word for love in order to redefine the love of God for themselves. AGAPE. (See Gems 127, 128, 172, 256) Understanding the true nature of God’s love is foundational to your life. Truly understanding the dimensions of God’s love for you sets you free. Peter thought he knew it before hand, but at the beach BBQ after the resurrection [Gems 127 & 128) he comes to understand it more. The play on words between “agape” and “phileo” brings realisation to him. I hope that same realisation comes to you. Paul prays that realisation, that awareness of the depth of God’s love for the Ephesians.
When it does . . . When you move from being rooted and ground to understanding and comprehending His love then you can move on to knowing it intimately. Do you know, with an inner knowing, the love of God? Or are you still learning about its dimensions? Its distinctive definition? So much so they had to coin a new (old) word for it. The love of God is nothing like human love. It lifts human love to a whole new level. To the point where someone might actually be willing to die for another because of love. Now that is agape. Do you know it? Or are you still back at the point of having been shown it (rooted and grounded) but not having moved on from there?
Where are you along the trail in terms of understanding God’s love? When you have worked that out, I.e. You know “you are here”, then you know where you are on the continuum and you know where you have to go from there. Now that is helpful. Many have the idea that Jesus loves them but God wields the big stick and He doesn’t love them at all. Jesus can’t love you unless the Father loved you first. Jesus and the Father are one. (Read Bible Gem 96) Sorry for all these references to past Bible Gems today. I just figure it is easer for me to point you to places where I have discussed it before than to re-write it all. Now all these gems are readily accessible on the web site via hot links.
I have given you enough to think about for one day. But let me remind you again this is important. It is important that you know where you are on the Love Continuum.
Your child needs your love most when they least deserve it. (Like us adults too)
Anon
God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn’t do.
Regina Brett
He loves. He pursues. He persists. And, every so often, a heart starts to soften. Let yours be one of them.
Max Lucado
“God’s love is Meteoric, his loyalty Astronomic, His purpose Titanic, his verdicts Oceanic”.
Jose Carol
Now you know something of the dimensions of God’s love but still just scratching the surface.
Ian Vail