Day 4 | Ephesians 3:14-21
For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 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.
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, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:14-21 (NIV)
For Reflection:
When I think of God, it is often through the lens of wondering what He is requiring of me or wanting me to give up or change or do. God is Almighty and Savior; why wouldn’t he require my absolute obedience and devotion. And yet, this passage takes my logical understanding and flips it onto its head. Just as Jesus came to preach what’s often known as the “upside-down kingdom”, this message from Paul portrays an upside-down understanding of what God actually wants from us. Does God want our obedience and devotion? Absolutely. However, this passage takes a step back and grounds us in where it needs to start.
So where does it begin? Verse 17 expresses the idea of Christ followers “being rooted and established in love.” The definition of rooted is to be established deeply and firmly… so we as followers are established deeply and firmly in God’s love. What a counter-cultural idea for it to start with God loving us. Contrary to what might feel logical, it’s not about what we can do for God… it starts with what God has done for us.
In Acts chapter 2, we see the beginning of the Apostolic ministry starting with Pentecost which was when the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus’ followers and equipped them with His power to go out and minister to the world. Just as Jesus’ first disciples were given power through the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, his power lives in each of us as well. Christ dwells in our hearts when we trust in Him.
It starts with Christ’s love being rooted in us and continues with the belief, understanding and acceptance of His love on our part. Verses 17 and 18 continue “you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with 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.” It’s not about what we are doing… it’s about embracing and receiving Christ’s power through His love. Unlike this world where we need to earn or deserve what we receive, Jesus came to fill us with His love, with no strings attached, so that His power would flow through us and spread to those around us.
Let us Pray:
Dear God, thank you for your gift of love. For dying on the cross and sending your spirit to live in each of us. Help me to recognize your gift and power in my life and to truly be a vessel of your love to those around me. Help me to relinquish control and instead embrace your free gift of love. Allow me to recognize and know just how very wide and long and high and deep your love truly is. Fill me with your fullness and strengthen me with your power. Amen.
Questions:
How can I realize today that nothing I do will ever “earn” me Jesus, and instead recognize the love of Christ that lives inside of me already?
What, if anything, is getting in the way of me saying “Yes” to Jesus and his free gift of love?