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Ephesians 3:18-19: Prayer For Love


Ephesians 3:18-19
[18] may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, [19] and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge

This prayer is a prayer that we would have a lifestyle of love. Our very participation in the body of Christ is only possible because of the amazing love of our Savior. We are loved people. The NIV and other translations use the phrase, “rooted in love.” If we are branches, connected to the vine of Christ, we ought to be loving.

He is the source of all love. We are the extensions of his love. In fact, there is no more important expression of a changed life in Christ Jesus than love.

John 13:35
[35] By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Love is not optional, it is foundational.

“Years ago, Dr. Barnhouse pointed out that love is intrinsic to all the fruits of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22.  He said, “Love is the key. Joy is love singing. Peace is love resting. Long-suffering is love enduring. Kindness is love’s touch. Goodness is love’s character. Faithfulness is love’s habit. Gentleness is love’s self-forgetfulness. Self-control is love holding the reins.” There are no fruits of the spirit without love.”
- Hughes, R. Kent, Ephesians: The Mystery of the Body of Christ, page 116.

Let me ask you. Do people know you by your love? Do they experience it in everything that you do? If they were able to listen in to your thoughts about them, would they feel loved? We need to have love as a lifestyle. Paul prays that we would know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge. Isn’t that an impossibility? Well, yes. But, we are to be growing in our knowledge of his love.

Paul isn’t content with the fact that the Ephesian believers had received Christ’s love. He is thrilled that they have received love. But, it is not adequate to stay in the same level of love that we received at our salvation. Can you imagine if you fell in love, married your bride and then stopped growing in the knowledge of your spouse’s love? Would your spouse be happy? Would you be happy? Would a one time love event be adequate? Of course not!

Paul prays that all of us would comprehend just how great God’s love is. It is beyond our comprehension. It is beyond every dimension. It is essential. And there is an interesting thing that Paul says here. “together with all the saints.” That means that we are in this endeavor to grow in our comprehension of God’s love with each other! All the saints. Together. All of us. How are you doing in that endeavor?

Are you growing in your comprehension of his love? If you are struggling you might have to be willing to work at it together with the rest of the body.

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