Ephesians 3:14-21 (NIVUK)
14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every 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 Lord’s holy people, 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.
The end of verse 19 is one I find myself keeping coming back to. What exactly does Paul mean when he says that we may be filled ‘to the measure of all the fullness of God’? I think it builds out of yesterday’s train of thought. As we find ourselves immersed in an experience of God, we are being immersed in an experience of love because God is love. If we are filled with God’s love, then inevitably we will become loving like him as his love displaces the aspects in us which aren’t loving – just as water will be displaced all over the floor if you get into a full bath. And if we become loving like God, then this will bring him glory as others experience it.
Fill us with your love, Lord!
Leave a Reply