The Power of GOD: Applying It

Ephesians 3:17–19 NASB95

so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.

This modern life is consumed and driven by technology and devices. Primarily electronic technology. I dare to say that everyone here has a cell phone. Most of us have laptops or computers at home. Our food is preserved, cooked, or heated by our refrigerators, stoves, and microwaves. When outdoor weather is cold or hot, we have thermometers that detect indoor changes and signal the furnace or A/C to turn on. All these that I have mentioned absolutely cannot function without electrical power or energy. In fact, they are all various ways in which power is applied in our daily lives, hence why most are called household appliances. Well, it is likewise with the power of GOD, it has no living value to us except it is rightly applied in our lives. The intent of this message is to show us how we begin to apply the power of GOD, as well as some initial and vital applications.

Grounded in Love

Paul is continuing his prayer for spiritual strength for these believers. But before he gets to the intended application, he provides a condition that must be met in every believer. By condition I mean a necessary step before everything else can take place. What is that condition? Being rooted and grounded in love. One is agricultural and the other construction, to figuratively convey the same idea. That is everyone must be firmly fixed in and on a foundation of love first!!

Illustration: Interestingly, the term ground is used for electrical power as well. One major purpose of an electrical ground (that third circular prong on a plug), is to prevent faults or imperfections in this circuit of power.

Application: We just went through an entire series on the importance of love, and can never be overstated. Before we can begin to apply the strength and power from GOD to do anything, love must be the foundation we’re walking on. It must be planted deep in our hearts. Why? Because if we aim to use God’s strength without being grounded in love, there will be imperfections in what we do! Not in the power he has, but in how we try to use it.

Fully grasp Christ’s Love

Then Paul moves to the purpose of being made strong, after being grounded in love. That is that every child of GOD “may be able”. That is to have enough or sufficient strength to do something. What is it that every child of GOD needs enough strength to do or experience Paul? Number 1, to comprehend or intellectually grab a hold of the full dimension of something.

Quick App: Understanding anything does take a certain amount of mental strength. This is in the middle voice, which means there’s some effort necessary on our part, yet it impacts us!! Notice he also wants this to be done “with all the saints”. Meaning there’s individual effort, but it contributes to a comprehensive effort of the Church.

But then number 2, it is sufficient strength to know something. Well isn’t comprehend and know the same thing? No, comprehend is what one understands. Know in this passage, is the knowledge gained from experience.

Quick App: It is one thing to know facts and information about someone, which is important. But it’s another to meet, eat, talk and ride around all day with someone.

What is it that Paul wants them to have enough strength to comprehend and experience? The love of Christ!!

Application: That’s why it’s so important to be grounded in love, else there’s no motive to understand the full dimension and experience the magnitude of love Christ has for us. His love is beyond full discovery. Yet it is something we should be applying God’s strength to understand and experience more and more. Just as the earth is vast, and no one can fully figure it out. Yet scientist are on a continual search for more and more.

Filled up with GOD

Why? because the more we understand and the more we get to know just how much Christ loves us, we are aiming to be fully supplied with the full power, holiness, perfection, and everything about GOD. This is the first application of God’s strength? Why? Because everything Paul urges them to do after this, is made possible by this. They are subsequent and practical applications of God’s power in their lives.

Unity of the Spirit

Application: There’s no true effort to maintain the expected unity. Why are God’s people so fragmented at times. Because we lack strength to fully grasp how much Christ loves all of us. And we’re not as filled with the nature of GOD, than we are ourselves. But when we move in God’s power, truly experiencing his sons love, we have strength bear with one another and stay together, because there is one body!!

Grow up to Christ

Application: A baby can’t fully develop mentally, emotionally, etc., without strength. It is likewise with the entire Church. The aim of our development or growth is the height of Christ. And Paul says when every part, that is all members, are properly working, the body grows in love. Numerical isn’t the primary focus, it is the spiritual. When we have spiritual strength and power of knowing Christ, the power of love will emanate, and the numerical will happen naturally because of that love!!

Walk right

Application: Lastly, strength understanding and experience Christ’s love in this way is supposed to transfer to our behavior overall. Paul mentions a way they’re supposed to “walk” 5 times throughout the rest of the letter. Worthy, not like Gentiles who lack understanding, in love, as children of light, and wisely. We need strength to walk right!!