Have you ever had a situation that you that you couldn’t figure out?  A sin you just couldn’t overcome?  You may have read scores of books, listened to CD’s, consulted with others, but it just couldn’t be solved.  That’s because more knowledge is not the answer.

Paul, in His letter to the Ephesians, rightly concluded there is something that surpasses knowledge and it is outside of his control.  That something is the love of Christ.  Earnestly he prays on his knees:

“that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, 

so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, 

being rooted and grounded in love, 

may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, 

that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.” ~ Ephesians 3:16-19
‭‭Paul knows it is the power of the Spirit that reminds us of our adoption, brings all things into remembrance, and strengthens our inner man.  Paul’s and our words cannot force the Spirit upon someone. It is only when God “grants” this and such is the reason for his earnest prayer for the Ephesians. 

So Paul’s progressive prayers builds up into the love of Christ. Why do I say progressive?  The chapter is filled with “So that…” and “may be…”.  It signifies God’s organized plan and the power of God’s work unleashed in His children.   Check out the steps:

• God grants strength in inner man
• Christ dwells in our hearts
• We are rooted and grounded in love
• Comprehend and know the love of Christ
• Filled up to the fullness of God

Clearly the answer to our problem is to deeply understanding and experiencing the love of Christ. So how does this help us overcome sin? Grasping how much God loves us, would cause us to lose our desire for anything that damages our relationship with Him and His children. 

Love changes our patterns of thinking, our affections and our motivations.  Love has the power to overcome where our performance falls short.  It brings freedom from worry over those we love who do not know the Lord and opens our eyes to see His power in action.  Ultimately is results in being “filled up to the fullness of God”.  That’s what I desire!

Reflection

Where have you been trying to force the gospel and not trust that God will grant an understanding “according to The riches of His glory”?  
Action

Confess any sin and distrust of God and surrender to Him.  Begin praying earnestly for those around you that:

• God grants strength in his/her inner man
• Christ dwells in his/her heart
• He/she is rooted and grounded in love
• He/she would Comprehend and know the love of Christ
• He/she Filled up to the fullness of God

Watch for God’s power to be unleashed. May God bless you deeply with knowing the love of Christ!

@brianfriedl

#truthtalk4life #knowlivespeaktruthinlove #theloveofGodsurpassesknowledge