THE HOLY SPIRIT AND CHRIST'S INDWELLING

"That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God." (Ephesians 3:16-19)

Devotion 14 of 16

THE GLORIOUS RESULT KNOWING THE LOVE OF CHRIST

The intent of strengthening of the Holy Spirit is that we may ultimately be able to comprehend the marvelous extent of salvation--its breadth, and length, and depth, and height. Now we even mount higher in this grand spiritual crescendo. The targeted comprehension will yield a still greater benefit. "And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge"

Our hearts are capable of perceiving more than our minds. Faith, although involving reason is itself superior to reason. Faith has a sort of logic of its own. It brings the individual to lay hold of something that contradicts human reasoning. Thus it is written of Abraham, "who, contrary to hope, in hope believed" (Rom 4:18, NKJV). By this, the Spirit means the promise given to Abraham contradicted the laws and logic of nature. If Abraham and Sarah could have consulted with the wisest and most proficient of the medical profession, they would have denied the possibility of the promise being fulfilled. For a man whose body, from the standpoint of reproduction, was "now dead," through a woman noted for the "deadness" of her womb, to have a child nay, become the "father of many nations" was an absurd fantasy! No person on earth would have admitted to the possibility of such a thing. But Abraham did not even consider those otherwise disqualifying factors. He was "strong in faith, giving glory to God." He took hold of the promise, even though it could not be contained in the meager and flawed vessel of human wisdom.

There is a love that is so grand, so effective, so abundant with Divine resources, that it must be unveiled to us. It extends beyond the capacity of human knowledge. It cannot be discovered, it must be revealed! It "passes knowledge." Yet, this love can be known--experientially known. It can be appreciated, and yield satisfaction to those knowing it. It becomes a resource for comfort, encouragement, and strength. It has a powerful constraining influence upon those discerning it. As it is written, "For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again" (2 Cor 5:14-15, NIV).

If people do not know this love, it is because they have not seen the extent of salvation. If they have not seen the extent of salvation, it is because they are not rooted and grounded in love. If they are not rooted and grounded in love, it is because Christ is not dwelling in their hearts by faith. If Christ is not dwelling in their hearts, it is because they have not been strengthened with might in their inner man. If they have not been strengthened with might in the inner man, it is because the Holy Spirit has not done so.

PRAYER POINT: Father, thank You through Jesus for a love so large it cannot be known by natural means, yet can be known through the strength given by Your Holy Spirit.

-- Tomorrow: FILLED WITH THE FULNESS OF GOD --