KNOWING THE UNKNOWABLE
Most of us would be satisfied with that . But this is not the end of Paul ’ s prayer . The best is yet to come . He asks that believers be able to comprehend “ the breadth , and length , and depth , and height ” ( v . 18 ). “ Of what ?” we naturally ask . That ’ s what comes next : “ the love of Christ , that passeth knowledge ” ( v . 19 ). Paul prays that God would open their eyes to see just how much Christ loves them . It is a prayer that cannot be fully answered because Christ ’ s love is too great for complete comprehension . Believers can search out this love day after day , but they will never reach the end of their search .
Oh , that our young people would come to know what cannot be fully known — the love of Christ ! Let us pray every day that God would reveal to them the breadth of the love of Christ : He loves all people everywhere . Let ’ s pray that God shows them the length of the love of Christ : He loves for all eternity . Let ’ s pray that God opens their hearts to the depth of the love of Christ : He delivers those who are trapped in the deepest mire of sin and corruption . Let ’ s pray that God opens their eyes to see the height of the love of Christ : He exalts sinners to live in the heavenlies with God . This is perfect love indeed , and it casts out all fear . How fearful our young people are . They fear the future . They fear their friends . They fear themselves . They fear failure . They fear success . Only one thing can cast out all this fear — the love of Christ , which is so vast it can never be fully known .
FILLED TO ALL FULLNESS
Paul ’ s final request reveals where he believes all the previous requests will lead : “ filled with all the fullness of God ” ( v . 19 ). What is the “ fullness of God ”? I believe this phrase refers to the fullness of redemption . It ’ s shorthand for being made whole so that once again , the believer loves God with his entire being and loves his neighbor as he loves himself .
What a beautiful thing to pray for our young people ! We pray that they would come to know just how much Christ loves them , and we pray this so that through this knowledge , they would come to love as they should . It is love that sets them free to love .
The magnitude of this prayer is staggering . It is a Mount Everest of petition and intercession . Dare we expect these requests to be answered ? Paul knows the weakness of our faith . So at the end , he reminds us of the kind of God we serve : “ Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think ” ( v . 20 ). ■
Dr . Bryan Smith has worked in Christian education for nearly thirty years . He has been a classroom teacher as well as a textbook author . Currently , he serves at BJU Press as the Senior Manager for Biblical Worldview Formation . He and his wife , Becky , have six children .
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MANDERLEY CAMP
Manderley Camp is located in the beautiful Sequatchie Valley in Pikeville , Tennessee . Spacious lodges provide meeting space for many guests . Beautiful cabins have modern amenities ( restrooms , showers , and heat / AC ). 800 acres for recreation and relaxation include disc golf , zipline , hiking , ropes courses , and more !
Visit our website to learn more about current biblical worldview training events or how your organization might utilize the camp facilities .
MANDERLEY CHRISTIAN CAMP & CONFERENCE CENTER A MINISTRY OF RENEWANATION
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manderleycamp . org • 423-447-2888 100 Manderley Lane , Pikeville , TN 37367