Rooted in the Love of Christ

Ephesians 3:14-21 CSB

For this reason I kneel before the Father [15] from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named. [16] I pray that he may grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with power in your inner being through his Spirit, [17] and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. I pray that you, being rooted and firmly established in love, [18] may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the length and width, height and depth of God's love, [19] and to know Christ's love that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. [20] Now to him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us- [21] to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

The Centrality of Christ’s Love in the Christian Life

Paul places profound emphasis on the centrality of love in the Christian life. Love is not merely one of many virtues; it is foundational. It forms the bedrock of the believer’s relationship with both God and others. This love is not a fleeting emotion or a shallow affection. Rather, it is the deep, abiding love of Christ that anchors and sustains us.

Paul prays that believers would be “rooted and firmly established in love” (Ephesians 3:17, CSB). This indicates that love is the soil in which our faith grows and the structure that holds our spiritual lives together. Love is the very essence of our spiritual foundation.

Moreover, Paul highlights the immeasurable dimensions of this divine love—its breadth, length, height, and depth. He urges believers to grasp its vastness. It is through understanding and experiencing this love that we are filled with all the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:19, CSB). The expansive nature of God’s love invites us to grow ever deeper in our relationship with Him. This love compels us to extend that love to others.

Thus, love is not just a virtue among others; it is the essential quality that should permeate every aspect of our lives. It transforms us into the image of Christ, enabling us to live out the gospel in our daily interactions. But what does this look like in our day-to-day lives?

Love: The Reflection of God’s Nature

This love is echoed in other parts of Scripture. In 1 John 4:16, we are reminded that “God is love, and the one who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him.” This passage reinforces the idea that love is not just an action or feeling but is intrinsically tied to the nature of God Himself. To live in love is to live in God’s presence.

Furthermore, in Romans 8:38-39, Paul reassures believers of the unshakeable nature of Christ’s love: “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” This passage underscores that the love of Christ is constant and invincible, no matter the circumstances.

The Love of Jesus: Our Foundation and Hope

The love of Jesus is the very heartbeat of our faith. It is a love that surpasses human understanding and transcends the limitations of this world. This love is not contingent upon our actions, our worthiness, or our circumstances. Instead, it flows freely from the very essence of who Christ is—God’s own Son, who chose to enter into our brokenness to redeem and restore us.

The love of Jesus is steadfast, unchanging, and eternal, reaching out to us in our most vulnerable moments. When we are weary, it is His love that renews our strength. When we are lost, it is His love that guides us back to the path of righteousness. This is a love that bore the weight of our sins upon the cross, a love that endured the scorn of men and the agony of separation from the Father, all for our sake.

It is the same love that, three days later, triumphed over the grave, bringing us the hope of eternal life.

In the love of Jesus, we find a safe haven—a place where we are fully known and yet fully accepted. It is a love that calls us by name, that sees beyond our failures, and embraces us in our entirety. Christ’s love is both a comfort and a challenge. It invites us into the warmth of His embrace, yet it also compels us to extend that same love to others. But how do we extend this love in practical terms?

Living Out Christ’s Love in Daily Life

1. Practicing Forgiveness: Forgiveness is a tangible expression of Christ’s love. Just as we have been forgiven, we are called to forgive others. This isn’t always easy, especially when we’ve been deeply hurt. However, when we choose to forgive, we reflect Christ’s sacrificial love. Consider how Jesus, even as He hung on the cross, forgave those who crucified Him, saying, “Father, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34, CSB). In our daily lives, we can practice forgiveness in our relationships—whether it’s with a family member, a friend, or a co-worker—by letting go of resentment and offering grace.

2. Serving Others Selflessly: Another practical way to live out Christ’s love is through acts of service. Jesus Himself modeled this when He washed the feet of His disciples, an act that was both humble and selfless (John 13:1-17). In our own lives, this might look like volunteering our time to help those in need, offering a listening ear to someone going through a tough time, or simply being present for someone who feels lonely. It’s about putting others before ourselves, just as Christ did.

3. Cultivating Patience and Kindness: Paul describes love as patient and kind (1 Corinthians 13:4, CSB). These are qualities that often require intentionality and effort to cultivate. In our fast-paced world, patience can be in short supply, yet it is a powerful way to demonstrate love. When we choose to be patient with those who frustrate us or kind to those who may not deserve it, we mirror the love of Christ. This might mean taking a deep breath before responding in anger or choosing to speak words of encouragement rather than criticism.

4. Prioritizing Time with God: To love as Christ loves, we must remain connected to the source of that love. This means making time for daily prayer, reading Scripture, and worship. As we do, we allow Christ’s love to fill and overflow from our hearts into our interactions with others. In the busyness of life, prioritizing time with God can seem challenging, but it is essential. As Jesus said in John 15:5, “I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without me” (CSB). Our ability to love well is directly tied to our relationship with Him.

Embodying the Transformative Love of Christ

As we reflect on the profound love of Christ that Paul so eloquently describes in Ephesians 3, we are reminded that this love is not just a theological concept but a living, breathing reality that shapes every aspect of our lives. It is a love that surpasses knowledge, filling us with the fullness of God and empowering us to live out our faith with boldness and grace. In light of this, let us go forth with hearts open and minds renewed, ready to embody the love of Christ in our words, actions, and interactions with others. May we be vessels through which His love flows freely, transforming not only our own lives but also the world around us, to the glory of God the Father, through Christ Jesus, by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.