Love that Is a Many Splendored Thing

The gospel is a love story with depth. It is no cheap romance novel, but the story of a God who created us, has plans for us and who pursues us in order that he might bless us. In one of the most memorable lines in Ephesians, Paul prays that we might “grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ” (v18). Paul knows much will change in our lives if we get a good view of the majestic nature of God’s love.

But there is something very important to notice here: His prayer is that this would be done “together with all the saints.” It is not surprising to find this in Ephesians, but we should not let it slip by us. Getting a great perspective on the height and breadth of God’s love does not come as we isolate ourselves and seek God alone. It comes as we are “together with all the saints.” We need each other.

God’s plan is to bring us together. In our togetherness we have a much greater opportunity to experience the love of God and to help each other see its richness. I need what you can teach me about God’s love, and you need what I can teach you. As we relate to each other, accept each other, help each other and forgive each other, and as we ourselves are “rooted and established in love” (v17), our appreciation and understanding of God’s love will grow