In my quiet time a few weeks ago, the Lord took me to Ephesians, Chapter 3. In verses 14-21, Paul prays a prayer for the believers in the Ephesian Church. Paul’s words took me deep into thought, especially as I read Ephesians 3:18 in the Message:
And I ask Him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you’ll be able to take in with all Christians the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.
In the NIV Paul prays that we
may have the power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ and to know that this love surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Paul prays that believers in Jesus would know experientially the immense love of Christ…the exceeding greatness…the unsearchable riches.
Why did He choose words like high, wide, deep, and long? Because He wants to show us the incredible capacity of this love.
The breadth of God’s love reaches every age, every gender, every nation, every race and class
The length of God’s love has no beginning and no end, it reaches from the foundation of the world through eternity
The depth of God’s love reaches to the depths of our souls, nothing can hide from His love, no sin is too great for His love
The height of God’ love reaches to the highest heavens, we have access to the throne of God and can approach that throne in full confidence
Paul goes on to say that when we know this love, we will be made complete!! In the King James translation, he says believers will be “filled with all the fullness of God.”
Sweet friends, our God is waiting to fill us with Himself to full capacity. His desire is for us to enjoy Him fully…His grace, His peace, His love, His forgiveness, and His gifts.
The word “filled” here is not like filling a cup with water; it is from the Greek word “pleroo,” which means “to be controlled by.” God wants His love to control us fully…every area of our lives.
You can hear the measure of God’s sacrifice in the words, He gave His only Son. The person God sent to save us from our sins was His one and only Son.
Add to this the horrific death by crucifixion that His Son had to endure, it becomes clear that the sacrifice God made…the sacrifice Jesus made…is indescribable. But God chose to do this because He loves us with a love that is INFINITE AND INEXHAUSTIBLE!! It never runs dry.
How much greater is this love when we consider how unworthy the recipients! It is out of the riches of His grace, the unsearchable riches, that He chose to do this great act for us.
I pray this day that we each would KNOW this infinite, inexhaustible, and indescribable love.
Precious Father, thank You for the amazing gift of love we celebrate every year at this time. Thank You for sending Your One and Only Son to die a criminal’s death so that we could experience how high and long and deep and wide is Your love. Father, if anyone is reading this that doubts your amazing love or has never experienced your love, would you confirm this love to them. Would you reach down from your throne in Heaven and by the power of Your Holy Spirit make Your love real in tangible ways. For all who read this, Lord, would you help them to see their needs and their unanswered prayer in the light of your love. Help them to know that nothing has come into their lives that has not first passed through Your loving Hand. Help them to know that You will provide all they need when they need it. Thank You that You will be faithful to that which we commit to You. I ask this in Your Son’s precious name. AMEN
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As soon as I saw Ephesians, I knew the exact chapter and verse that God had blessed you with! I prayed and pondered over those verses hours ago! I even wrote them down in my prayer journal!! I love how God works!! He is so powerful!
Thank you for the Greek translation of control! It all ties in together. I will continue to let these words sink into my soul! “God is waiting to fill us with Himself to full capacity.” I can’t wait!
Hugs,
Susan
I gasped while reading your post just now, especially since I just posted about my recent visit to the Grand Canyon. I experienced in living color “the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love… the breadth! its length! the depths! the heights! the fullness of God.” Not only does He fill us with Himself, but He shows us Himself. Come over and see what I mean. I posted a few pics! Thanks for finding the right words for me.
I liked learning the Greek definition of “filled” in this verson – “to be controlled by.” To be controlled by all the fullness of God. It’s difficult for me to wrap my mind around that much love though I so beleve Him to be faithful – I long for full capacity of God Himself. Sweet prayer Ms Wendy.
Oh Wendy,
This is one of my all time favorite verses, and I pray it regularly over my family. It’s my deepest desire that each one of us truly experience His love for ourselves – His immeasurable love.
Thank you for your prayer, Wendy.
I needed this post, Wendy
I’m a girl who deals with doubt – your prayer at the end just so touched my questioning heart.
Since I’m prone to doubt and wonder, I have recently decided to memorize this verse:
May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ. – 2 Thessalonians 3:5
Blessings to you,
Kate
Dear Wendy,
Today I was in the family Christian bookstore, and I pass by a shelf and there was your book. I got so excited because I have not seen it in the bookstore’s. I took it off the shelf and held it for a few more minutes as I prayed. I was going to wait until the she speaks conference, to buy it but decided that I could not wait and decided to purchase it today. I just wanted you to know how inspired I am by your story and that you are prayed for.
When I and finish reading it, my intent is to pass it on to someone else and I’m sure that God will give me the right person.
Be blessed,
Diane
Wendy,
Thank you for your post! I get so excited and tingly when God speaks to me in every day occurances. All day long I have had this old hymn ringing in my ears, “Oh the deep, deep love of Jesus, vast, unmeasured, boundless, free.” He is so amazing isn’t He? He drops me little gifts like this, constantly, wonderfully. I didn’t plan on you seeing my comment to Micca, leaving a comment for me and your post speaking directly to me of God’s message that has been on my heart all day.
Thank you, thank you for being a vessel of God’s love today for me!
Wendy, thank you for this beautiful prayer.
As I am reading your book “Hidden Joy”, I am so blessed by all you are sharing and that every page contains God’s Word. It’s breath-taking and lifea-giving. I’ve already ordered a few more for friends the Lord has laid on my heart.
May HE bless you for your obedience to and love for Him!
Still praying for your lovely Lauren.
Wendy,
I came to your blog through crosswalk.com and was immediately blown away. I was a bit distraught when I went to subscribe to your RSS feed and the link is not there. I didn’t know where else to put this comment.
As for this post, it is amazing. This is exactly what I needed to hear today. Thank you.