No Greater Love

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And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 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, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3: 17b-19

Valentine’s Day has come and gone already. This is one of the three holidays that we celebrate at school. Halloween, Christmas, and Valentine’s Day are the three party days of the year. Chocolate candy, cupcakes, little cards and treats, stuffed animals, flowers and other gifts change hands and get stuffed into elaborately decorated boxes. Games are played. Fun is had by all in the name of love!

And that’s just the kids at school! Think of all the adults enjoying an evening eating out, giving and receiving flowers, jewelry, cards, candy . . . . Love is in the air!

I believe we were created to live in relationship with others - to love and be loved in return. But I’m convinced that many, many people - even those who are in a serious relationship - don’t really understand love. And I think that was the same in Paul’s day - when he wrote the book of Ephesians so long ago. These verses were part of his prayer for the believers at Ephesus. What did he want them to know and fully grasp? He wanted them to know the extent of God’s love for them, even as he acknowledges that it is beyond comprehension, this “love that surpasses knowledge.”

God’s love isn’t a feeling; it’s an action. It’s a conscious decision. It’s a selfless giving. Undeserved. Forgiving. Everlasting. Sacrificial. Not expecting anything in return.

John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”

Romans 5:8, “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

1 John 4:19, “We love because He first loved us.”

Paul says this is what fills us -- to know and receive God’s love.

I don’t know if you have a “Valentine” this week. I don’t know if you have someone on this earth who loves you the way you long to be loved. But I know that there is no person on earth whose love can fill the void that exists in our hearts when we don’t yet know and receive the love of God.

So I pray Paul’s prayer for each of you reading this little blog:
Father God, I pray that every person reading this will allow the Holy Spirit to help them understand just how much You love them, that they will know this love that fills the void in our hearts, that they will grasp how vast this love is, and that they will be filled to overflowing with it. There truly is no greater love than this - a perfect Savior who laid down His life for me. (John 15:13) Thank you, Jesus, for Your perfect love!