Ephesians 3
“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 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, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”
Observation-What does it say?
In this chapter, Paul is reminding the Ephesians of sound doctrine regarding who they are in Christ and the work Christ has done in their lives, including his own life in verses 7-9. He ends this chapter with a prayer for the Ephesians.
Understanding-What does it mean?
Paul's prayer for the church in Ephesus highlights God's covenant with His church and how it is only by His power, His grace and His love that they will be filled to overflowing to do the works Christ has called them to do.
In the verses I chose above, the Apostle Paul prays specific things over the maturing church in Ephesus in his letter to them.
First, he acknowledges that it is through the riches of Christ and power of the Holy Spirit alone that their inner being is strengthened. 2. That their power in Him would not only be grasped for themselves personally, but also together with the whole church in community (vs. 18). 3. That they would be filled up and take hold of God's undeniable and deep love for them.
Life Application
The love God has for us, His church, His bride, is very deep and surpasses knowledge. Just as Paul prayed for the church in Ephesus to grasp this love, I pray the same over our church as well.
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:35-39
There will always be one specific God encounter moment that I reference back to that reminds me of His great love for me and that was the time when I was sick and God took me alone to be with Him to restore me (during a hospital stay). He did this by pouring His love into me and proving His faithfulness over me, assuring me that He would never leave me or forsake me. No condemnation or judgment, just love. Another example would be in the context and picture of my marriage. Going away recently for the marriage retreat with my husband, being alone with him, spending time with him, and getting to know him again deepened my love for him and I was able to grasp his deep love for me as well. I will always reference that weekend when things get tough in our marriage.
What is your God encounter moment? What moment in time do you reference back to when the struggles, trials and temptations of life hit and try to take us away from our calling and God's will for our life? Paul briefly explained his in verses 7-13 in this chapter, as he was encouraging the church not to be discouraged by his suffering for them.
Dear Lord, thank You for Your great love for us and how nothing can separate us from Your love. I pray over our church. I pray that You will deposit specific God encounter moments that we can reference back to to remember Your great and immense love for us...A love that won't let go and a love that will continue to sustain us here on earth. Thank You Jesus for all You do to work in and through us as we submit to Your love. Amen.