Paul states in Ephesians 3:19: “And to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”
This verse was part of a prayer Paul prayed, while he was in prison, for the people in the church he founded in Ephesus. Paul prays for the Holy Spirit’s power to strengthen the hearts of these believers and for them to comprehend the immense love of Christ. Paul’s burden was for these individuals to use the resources available to them which are grace, mercy, power, and love, laid up in Jesus Christ. The same is true for us today. Through God’s empowering Spirit, we are complete. The Holy Spirit is the immediate worker of grace in the souls of God’s people. We have all the fullness of God obtainable and accessible to us at all times.
Remember the Greek word Epignosis, which means precise and correct knowledge of God? It is having divine wisdom, intimate, personal, and experiential knowledge of God and Christ. Paul so wanted these believers to have this type of awareness of the love of Christ for everyone – Jew or Gentile. It involves realizing if you are a Christian, a Christ follower, then you have an overflowing and abundant ownership of Christ’s love. God wants us to experience His fullness. He gives us gifts and graces which He sees that we need.
The AMP text of Ephesians 3:19 says it best: “And (that you may come) to know (practically, through personal experience) the love of Christ which far surpasses (mere) knowledge (without experience), that you may be filled up (throughout your being) to all the fullness of God (so that you may have the richest experience of God’s presence in your lives, completely filled and flooded with God Himself).”
Picture in your mind a glass measuring cup. The Holy Spirit fills us up (looking at a glass measuring cup in your mind) with comfort and knowledge of God due to His immense love for us. That is the source of real joy and peace.
If you are a Christian, you are already full and complete in Christ due to His grace.
Verses on Grace:
- 2 Corinthians 12:9: “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
- Ephesians 2:8: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
- James 4:6: “But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but give grace to the humble.”
- 2 Peter 1:2-3: “May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord. His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence.”
Colossians 2:9-10 further declares: “And you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.” Think of yourself as a measuring cup, and that measuring cup is already full. It is complete. Nothing more needs to go into it, because the Holy Spirit is the means of our fullness in God.
James 1:4 also states: “And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
Christ grants us grace – giving us what we do not deserve. It is a gift. It never depends on our own efforts or works. It is all from God. Do I get it? God has granted to me all things that pertain to life and godliness. God’s grace is given to me to set me on the right path. I just have to be aware that God is divinely orchestrating His plan for my life because He loves me. I simply must be obedient in my faith, hope, and trust, in my Heavenly Father.
Paul prayed, in Ephesians 3, for the believers to know Christ’s love abundantly so they would be filled spiritually with the fullness of Him. He was not talking about some ecstatic or emotional experience. He was talking about God’s holiness and glory. The Holy Spirit is given to us, at the time of our accepting Christ as our Savior. The Holy Spirit is God in us transforming our lives.
God’s power has been demonstrated by:
- Raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Mark 16:5-7.
- Seated Christ at the right hand of God. Ephesians 1:20
- By grace has given salvation to those who accept and believe in Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2:5-6.
- Our eternal life is with Christ, sitting “in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 1:3.
We have this same power living within our soul. The Holy Spirit dwells within our hearts.
May we realize the fullness of God’s love in our lives and not let insecurities squelch our potential for living an abundant life in Christ. I am not talking about “name it and claim it” or earthly prosperity false teachings. We are complete in Him through His grace. May we meditate on growing in the knowledge of Christ’s love for us and the fullness of His power from the grace He freely gives to us.
Warren Wiersbe: “We are so rich in Christ that our riches cannot be calculated even with the most sophisticated computer. . . No Christian ever has to worry about having inadequate spiritual resources to meet the demands of life.”
Question: Whose evaluation of you is more important? God or the opinion of others?
Question: What truth has God taught you this week about His faithfulness, grace, or mercy?
Question: What verse reminds you that complete joy is found only in Christ?
My prayer today: “God fill every aspect of my life to the fullest possible way as only You can do by Your Holy Spirit. My faith is small. Give me more faith. Thank you so much for the grace You have given to me. May I be more aware of that grace working in my life abundantly. What do you want to teach me today? Help my life to reflect your infinite grace.”
Listen To Danny Gokey’s song, “More Than You Think I Am.”