“I pray that
you may have the power 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, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:18-19 NRS)
you may have the power 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, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:18-19 NRS)
In my ministry of
preaching and teaching I do a lot of reading — serious reading. You would
think that reading might not be my choice of hobbies. Yet, from elementary
school, I have been an avid reader. And for relaxation and recreation, I enjoy
Clancy, Ludlum, and Cussler adventure thrillers. Psychologists would claim this
is a latent desire to vicariously experience the thrill of adventure.
preaching and teaching I do a lot of reading — serious reading. You would
think that reading might not be my choice of hobbies. Yet, from elementary
school, I have been an avid reader. And for relaxation and recreation, I enjoy
Clancy, Ludlum, and Cussler adventure thrillers. Psychologists would claim this
is a latent desire to vicariously experience the thrill of adventure.
Of course, vicarious
experience is biblical. Christ was our vicarious sacrifice. He was substituted
on Calvary as punishment for our sins. By his act of substitution we
vicariously experience the righteousness of God. In other words, he took our
sin and punishment but delegated his righteousness to us (2 Corinthians 5:21).
experience is biblical. Christ was our vicarious sacrifice. He was substituted
on Calvary as punishment for our sins. By his act of substitution we
vicariously experience the righteousness of God. In other words, he took our
sin and punishment but delegated his righteousness to us (2 Corinthians 5:21).
To the Ephesian
saints, Paul offers another vicarious opportunity: God revealed the mystery to
me and if you will read my earlier brief description of it, you will also
perceive my understanding (Eph. 3:3-4). And then he closes his letter by
telling them that the mystery of God is exhibited through the Church “in
accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our
Lord, in whom we have access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in
him” (vss. 9-12). And Paul adds, “I pray therefore that you may not
lose heart over my sufferings for you; they are your glory” (v.13 NRS).
saints, Paul offers another vicarious opportunity: God revealed the mystery to
me and if you will read my earlier brief description of it, you will also
perceive my understanding (Eph. 3:3-4). And then he closes his letter by
telling them that the mystery of God is exhibited through the Church “in
accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our
Lord, in whom we have access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in
him” (vss. 9-12). And Paul adds, “I pray therefore that you may not
lose heart over my sufferings for you; they are your glory” (v.13 NRS).
This is my desire:
to vicariously experience the love of Christ in all its facets; to discover the
range and scope of his love; and to understand the dimensions of his marvelous
love. Yet, some people do not believe this ambitious desire can be achieved (Job
11:7-9). Paul, however, prays that his readers “may have the power to
comprehend” and “be filled with all the fullness of God”
(Ephesians 3:18-19).
to vicariously experience the love of Christ in all its facets; to discover the
range and scope of his love; and to understand the dimensions of his marvelous
love. Yet, some people do not believe this ambitious desire can be achieved (Job
11:7-9). Paul, however, prays that his readers “may have the power to
comprehend” and “be filled with all the fullness of God”
(Ephesians 3:18-19).
The dimensions of an
omniscient, eternal, holy God may seem impossible to fathom, but an apparent
impossibility doesn’t negate the Scriptural exhortation to know and experience
him. Philip desired to know the Father and said, “Lord, show us the Father
and we will be satisfied” (John 14:8). And the Lord replied, “Philip,
you still don’t know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father” (v.9).
So, the Lord’s response dispels the idea that we can’t know or experience
“the fullness of God,” since Christ embodies the fullness of God
(Colossians 2:8-10).
omniscient, eternal, holy God may seem impossible to fathom, but an apparent
impossibility doesn’t negate the Scriptural exhortation to know and experience
him. Philip desired to know the Father and said, “Lord, show us the Father
and we will be satisfied” (John 14:8). And the Lord replied, “Philip,
you still don’t know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father” (v.9).
So, the Lord’s response dispels the idea that we can’t know or experience
“the fullness of God,” since Christ embodies the fullness of God
(Colossians 2:8-10).
And how can we know
the love of Christ if it surpasses knowledge? Herein is the key to knowing.
Until we experience something, we can only know about it. Until we personally
experience the love of Christ, we do not
truly know him. There is an understanding of God that can only be known through
experience. This experiential knowledge surpasses or goes beyond the normal
knowledge of a thing or person. And the Apostle prays that his readers will go
beyond simple knowledge and experience the love of Christ that exceeds their
knowledge of him. And going beyond mere knowledge positions the believer on the
journey to “be filled with all the fullness of God.”
the love of Christ if it surpasses knowledge? Herein is the key to knowing.
Until we experience something, we can only know about it. Until we personally
experience the love of Christ, we do not
truly know him. There is an understanding of God that can only be known through
experience. This experiential knowledge surpasses or goes beyond the normal
knowledge of a thing or person. And the Apostle prays that his readers will go
beyond simple knowledge and experience the love of Christ that exceeds their
knowledge of him. And going beyond mere knowledge positions the believer on the
journey to “be filled with all the fullness of God.”
Dear Father, thank
you for giving us Jesus that we might truly know you. Empower us to be faithful
in our journey to be filled with all the fullness of God. I pray this in the
name of Jesus. AMEN
you for giving us Jesus that we might truly know you. Empower us to be faithful
in our journey to be filled with all the fullness of God. I pray this in the
name of Jesus. AMEN
Fully experience God
today,
today,