“The three most important things to have are faith, hope and love. But the GREATEST OF THEM IS LOVE.” (1 Corin. 13:13)
In light of this statement made by Paul, let us look at something else he said:
“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 1GRASP how wide and long and high and deep is THE LOVE OF CHRIST, and to 2know this love that surpasses knowledge [goes beyond] –that you may be FILLED TO THE MEASURE OF ALL THE FULLNESS OF GOD.” (Eph. 3:16-19) 1katalambanō: to take hold of so as to make one’s own. 2ginōskō: understand, perceive, have intimate knowledge of.
Why do we have to be strengthened with “POWER” to understand this concept? Well, you see, if the devil can prevent us from intimately knowing and being filled with the love of Christ things will just continue as they are with arguing, fighting, mistreating and being mistreated with no signs of real unity! It is essential for us to grasp the awesomeness of this immeasurable “love” of Christ, and make it our own! This will result in us being FILLED UP with ALL of God’s fullness. For, you see: God loved those He created, so much that:
“He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
When we have power to grasp this then: “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to LAY DOWN OUR LIVES for our brothers and sisters.” (1 John 3:16)
Sacrificial love from us demonstrates Christ’s love…Bill Stockham