COMPREHENDING THE MAGNITUDE -- Tomorrow:
"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 3:17-19)
" . . . and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge."
The expression "the love of Christ" occurs three times in Scripture, including our text.
The first mentioning of it challenges us to consider if anything is capable of separating the saved from it. "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? . . . Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us" (Rom 8:35-37). The "love of Christ" is, therefore, a strong love. There is no adversarial power capable of driving a wedge between those who are justified and the One through whom they have been justified!
The second time this love is mentioned is Second Corinthians 5:14. "For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: and that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again." Here, Christ's love for us is a powerful constraining factor. it mover us to both think and live correctly. Pondering the love of Christ, we conclude that if He died for everyone, we died when He did -- that is, His death accrues to the account of those who trust in Him. We died to sin, the world, and enslavement to the wicked one. Praise the Lord! Because of that, we are compelled from within to live for Christ, seeking His will above our own.
The third mentioning of "the love of Christ" is our text. Here its profound nature is not so much the point, as our quest to more fully comprehend it.
The Word of God does not frequently speak directly of the love of Christ.
Once it is said of Jesus' love for "His own," which were in the world, "Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that His hour was come that He should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved His own which were in the world, He loved them unto the end" (John 13:1). In the last book of the Bible it is written, "Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father; to Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen" (Rev 1:5-6).
The "love of Christ" is almost always viewed from one of two perspectives. What it compelled Him to do, and the results that have come from it. Considering what it compelled Him to do, consider the following.
1. He pleased not Himself, allowing the reproaches of those who reproached Almighty God to fall upon Him (Rom 15:3).
2. Although He was rich, He became poor (2 Cor 8:9).
3. He gave Himself for us, a fragrant and well pleasing sacrifice to God (Eph 5:2).
4. He suffered being tempted" (Heb 2:18).
5. He was tempted in all points, like as we are (Heb 4:15).
Some of the marvelous benefits that result from His love include the following.
1. We through His poverty become rich (2 Cor 8:9).
2. He now sanctifies and cleanses the church (Eph 5:25).
3. He nourishes and cherishes the church (Eph 5:29).
4. He is not ashamed to call us brethren (Heb 2:11).
5. He is able to succor those who are being tempted (Heb 2:18).
Our text is a prayer to the Father that we may be able to know this marvelous love--to experience it in unprecedented levels. This knowledge is not appropriated academically, or through mental disciplines. There are no secret routines that can bring a person into this knowledge.
Here is a knowledge that surpasses knowledge, being more related to Deity than humanity. Yet, such wonderful knowledge can be appropriated! You can know what "surpasses knowledge!" This is something for "all saints," i.e., within the reach of every one of them!
By saying it is "surpassing knowledge," or "passeth knowledge," the Spirit means this love exceeds the boundaries of nature. There are no natural capacities that are capable of comprehending this love. When the abilities of men have reached their fullest measure, and their efforts have extended themselves to their furthermost extremity, "the love of Christ" is still out of sight and out of reach.
Christ's love cannot be measured or fathomed by the intellect. This does not exclude the involvement of our rational capacities. It does, however, require the involvement of our Father in heaven. The love of Christ is intended to be comprehended. It is not enough to let it remain a mystery, wondering why He loved us so. I realize the vastness of His love causes us to marvel. However, more time is to be spent seeking to "know the love of Christ" than simply staggering under its greatness.
Knowing the love of Christ is an assignment for your faith. It is something that can be acquired through the strength given to you by the Holy Spirit. This knowledge requires that Christ be dwelling in your heart by faith, and that you are rooted and grounded in love. If these things are so -- and there is no reason why they cannot be -- you can comprehend "with all saints" the marvelous love of Christ.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, grant me strength and grace to see more of Christ's love for me, and of His profound commitment to and love for You!