The Love of Christ That Surpasses Knowledge

Introduction: Love is Our Power

In the late 19th century, the great missionary David Livingstone was asked the secret of his endurance in the African jungle. He pointed to two promises: “I am with you always” (Mt 28:20) and “I will not leave you as orphans” (Jn 14:18). It wasn’t strategy that sustained him—it was the persistent love of Christ. Deeply knowing this love is the true measure of our spiritual strength. When we are certain of the love of the Christ who died for us, we find the power to endure any trial.

1. A Love Beyond Logic

What kind of love must we realize? Verse 19 calls it a “love that surpasses knowledge.” It defies human logic. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus commands us to turn the other cheek and go the extra mile. To our reason, this is absurd; yet this is Agape—a one-way, unchanging love that flows regardless of merit.

In verse 18, Paul prays for us to “grasp” the width, length, height, and depth of this love. The Greek word for “grasp,” katalambano, implies gripping something with all your might, like a lifeline. We find the strength to hold on when we realize this love is personal. When you see that Christ was scourged and crucified for you—the worst of sinners—your heart melts. When we desperately “grasp” this love, we begin to be “filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”

2. Strengthening the Inner Being

Once you taste this love, you crave it. However, while we may feel this love emotionally, we often lack the strength to hold onto it in daily life. Because our “inner being” is weak, we are easily swayed by anger or despair.

This is why Paul prays in verse 16 that God would “strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being.” Only the Holy Spirit can supply the life-energy needed to let our old self die so that Christ may truly dwell in our hearts through faith. This isn’t just intellectual agreement; it is a “living faith” that obeys because it trusts the Father’s heart. Through this obedience, our hearts become a holy sanctuary.

3. The Life of Worship

To maintain this faith, we must move beyond “religious duty.” Just as lovers must meet often to stay close, we must restore our solitary time with the Lord. If your joy is drying up, set aside the world’s noise and speak honestly with Him. The Holy Spirit will remind you that you are not an orphan. True satisfaction comes only through this daily fellowship.

Conclusion: A Community Rooted in Love

Let us press on to acknowledge the Lord and recover our “first love.” We are the Bride of Christ, waiting for our Groom. When you are rooted in this love, your “capacity” for others grows. You begin to see difficult people or those who gossip about you as precious souls.

A church where members live out this immeasurable love is a Spirit-filled church. May your ‘inner being’ be strengthened daily, and may you bear the fruit of Christ’s character in everything you do. Amen.