“….to know this LOVE THAT SURPASSES KNOWLEDGE —that you may be FILLED TO THE MEASURE OF ALL THE FULLNESS OF GOD ! “. Ephesians 3:19
I have observed recently a distinction between one who comes at discipleship with an inquiring mind, desiring simply INFORMATION ABOUT LIFE IN CHRIST in order to evaluate the cost and weigh the risk ……..
in contrast to one who comes with a heart ready to be IMMERSED IN TRANSFORMATION TOWARD LIVING LIFE IN CHRIST.
The difference is similar to Susan Kent’s (Altar’d) description of the difference between occupying a space (like a tenant or even simply a squatter or wanderer) and putting down roots and dwelling in a place (like an owner.)
When twelve spies were sent in to scout the Promised Land 10 decided that, although it had its appeal, the effort required to take the land and dwell there would be too great and the likelihood of success would be slim. The task of permanently dwelling there was deemed too much of a risk to fight and too much of a hassle for them to imagine doing so. But two of them, Joshua and Caleb trusted God and were prepared to not only scout it out and fight to take it, as directed by God to do, but also were ready to put down a stake in the ground, dwell there, work the land, raise their families, and establish a nation. (Numbers 13)
When I gave my baby heart to Jesus as a 10 year old in the summer of 1964 at a church revival, I felt God’s love. I understood that Jesus, God’s Beloved Son, died for our sins and that included me. I was grateful. I enjoyed the fellowship of the church and knew that my soul was safely bound for heaven. Period. It was love born of knowledge of the gift of salvation.
It would be years later, at age 38, in a personal encounter with an outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon me that I experienced the fullness of God that transformed me. In an instant there was more than knowledge of the gift of salvation….. there was transformation. My mind was changed about some things I had never realized God wanted of me. I surrendered my soul to Christ. My heart was drawn to Him with such power that nothing was ever the same again. It was love that surpassed knowledge….. It brought with it understanding, obedience, awe, and a recognition of God’s desire for intimacy and fellowship with me!
“….to know this LOVE THAT SURPASSES KNOWLEDGE —that you may be FILLED TO THE MEASURE OF ALL THE FULLNESS OF GOD ! “. Ephesians 3:19
I have observed recently a distinction between one who comes at discipleship with an inquiring mind, seeking simply INFORMATION ABOUT LIFE IN CHRIST in order to know salvation. One may evaluate the cost and weigh the risk of a closer walk with Him, just as the rich, young ruler did, and still walk away. Keeping the Law but missing the abundance of life Christ offers.
The difference is evident in one who comes with a heart ready and seeking to be IMMERSED IN TRANSFORMATION TOWARD LIVING LIFE IN CHRIST.
My witness, example, teaching and discipleship of others can help them attain knowledge. Only God can give one the hunger and thirst for righteousness, then sate that longing with the fullness of God in spirit, soul, and body!
Love that asks for knowledge of God will be met with knowledge. It is evident all around us, in creation and in God’s Word and in the lives of people who have been transformed.
But love that surpasses knowledge and leads to understanding, awe, obedience, wisdom, and communion with God, experiencing the FULLNESS Of HIS PRESENCE AND POWER…..in one’s own spirit, soul, and body…..comes only by the incarnate abiding Presence of the Holy Spirit.
There is a difference between the two. God desires that we would seek and receive the latter.
Do I behold, understand, and desire and am I willing to embrace the love God has for Christ and that Christ has for God that is also offered to me? Will I pursue the fullness of the measure of God?
Is one’s goal information or transformation? Will I commit, be “all in”, not look back…. even burn the boats on the altar of a changed life?
The territory, the space in which I dwell, is my own spirit, soul, and body. The Spirit has full free rein to lead me as He desires, no matter the longitude and latitude, the street address, or the roof or canopy over my head or who else is present. It is about God, not me, what He desires of me in the moment with me, not what I want in the moment in the presence of others. He will always be manifest through presence in me and around me…. at times it may even be through me, too. But I don’t choose or orchestrate those moments for myself or for others. I come ready, I wait, I watch, I listen. I trust God to work in others as I experience Him at work in me. (CBByrd 2/17/24)