To Know the Love of Christ

The end of Ephesians 3:16,19 teaches saints to be equipped and “strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man.” God’s mighty eternal power and wisdom enable us “To know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.”  To mature in Christ’s love, it’s helpful to know what it would look like:

1) God’s character of love was toward us, even ungodly sinners, without strength and enemies, humbling Himself as a living sacrifice, taking all our sin upon Himself and suffering in our place. (Rom.5:6-11, 2 Cor. 5:21, Phil. 2:5-8) This puts unconditional, godly love on display. 2) Paul went through intense suffering (II Cor. 11:23-29) as God’s Apostle to us, empowered by the grace doctrine to be a living sacrifice. Paul exhorts saints to“continue in the faith,” and that we also will experience tribulation as we walk worthy unto God.(Acts 14:22) Paul is our example; learn what he teaches to be prepared.

As faithful women, we’re exhorted in Ephesians 4:1 to “walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called.” To walk worthy, a love-grace attitude is generated toward saints: “With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love.” (Eph. 4:2) This love is to be a heart of unity for all saints; not just those who meet our requirements i.e. the right doctrine or Church. To develop this selfless attitude in our walk, we’re given Christ’s mind and heart, teaching us to mature spiritually in godliness (god-like-ness): “Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Eph. 4:3) Make time to see the depth of this by dwelling on these verses, studying this love in Paul’s epistles. Our position of oneness is literal; we’re members together in His Body. All who trust Christ and His blood for salvation are part of one another in His Body. We’re His arms and hands to function on His behalf to do ministry, loving each another as family, dealing with differences and challenges in love. Our walk is to manifest a helping, enduring heart of charity by Christ in us over a lifetime. “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.” (Ephesians 4:15)

Picture how to walk worthy in love and unity in your roles as women: to grow more and more. (Phil. 1:9) Apply the doctrine as a living sacrifice (Rom. 12), prefer one another, and do God’s service even when it’s not convenient. The result: “From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.” (Eph.4:16) As we believe, led by the Spirit, Christ’s love is manifest. This is how to love all Body members through difficulties. What does “endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (vs 3) mean in this case? To acquire God’s heart and ways, we labor in the Word, as the Spirit leads, even when it’s contrary to our flesh and religious thinking. It’s being “filled with the fulness of God.” As a sister, wife, mother, aunt, or friend, walk out Christ’s love.