It’s no exaggeration to say that the book of Ephesians brought me back from the brink and into faith.
Yesterday, I spoke of the role of Paul’s first prayer in Ephesians 1. Now look at his second prayer in Ephesians 3:14-21:
14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom his whole family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Look what is available to us: “power through his Spirit . . . power together with all the saints . . . immeasurably more power that is at work within us . . .” When you live this prayer, you recognize that true faith is not limiting; it is limitless.
And speaking of limitless, I love the progression of verses 18 & 19. Notice the dimensions of God love: “how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.” And then pay attention to the impossible “command” of v.19: “to know this love that surpasses knowledge.”
How can you “know” something that is beyond knowing? I don’t know!
But you can feel that love. You can be surprised by that love. You can be comforted by that love. And you can never escape the clutches of that love.
That’s worth getting carried away today.