God's standard of Love

One of the most asked questions I relation to the existence of God is. “If God really exist, why are there so much evil in the world”? Apart from the fact that most of these people have no interest in God. And in the truth of his existence, but to discredit his existence and the Bible. Their question is really about love.

Meaning they are saying, if the God who Christians claim to be there, is really there. He would be loving. And he would not allow so much evil and hate to continue in the world.

The problem with this line of reasoning is that. It assumes that the love that does exist in the world, exist independently from God’s existence. And not only does it exist independently from God. But this love is man-made. And therefore, the best version of love we have. So, we must all look deeply within ourselves and learn to practice love.

However, here in our passage. Paul leads us to believe that. Not only is Christ the love of God. But he is the best and only standard of love. Last time, we saw in verse 17-18, that the believer is rooted and established in Christ’s love. And his love for them is wide, long, high, and deep. And is lived-out among all God’s people.

And today Paul tells us three things: 1. God’s love in Christ is – more than human reason. He says in verse 19. And to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Meaning, the love of Christ cannot be figured out.

2. God’s love in Christ is – more than human measure. 3. God’s love in Christ is – more than human choice. He says in verse 20. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us. This means that, the love of Christ cannot be calculated. He says in verse 21. To him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. This is to say, the love of Christ is not everywhere. Here in verse 19-21, Paul shows the standard of the love of God in Christ. Showing that the love of Christ goes beyond the human standard of love.

In other words, for Paul, love is defined by God. Therefore, God does not lower his standard of love for people. But he changes and raises people’s love to his standard.  Romans 5:5 says. God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. On the day of salvation when the Spirit fills the believer. The love of Christ is poured out into them. Giving them a new standard of love. 1 John 4:17 says, God is love. Whoever lives in love, lives in God. To be a loving person is to share in God’s standard of love.

And here is the problem. Often the church or the believer settles for a love below God’s standard. Firstly, in the way they view God’s love towards them. Saying, God doesn’t love them. Secondly, In the way love others. Loving in a way that is superficial, insincere, and ungodly. But both these unbiblical ways of love. Whether doubting God’s love for them. Or not loving others in a godly way, shows that our standard of love misses the mark of God’s standard of love. Our standard of love is fickle, moody, limited, and based on feelings. Whereas, God’s standard of love is abundant, stable, and consistent.

The problem is not. That most reasonable people do not believe in love. Or that the world or people do not have an innate desire to love. The problem is that people do not believe and accept. That they need the love of God, as it exists in God, as it is revealed in Christ Jesus. So, the reality and issue are that people have settled for a re-defined human version of love. Paul reminds Timothy that in is pastoral journey. He will meet people who are lovers of themselves. Rather than lovers of God. This is because people’s human standard and version of love. Always excludes God, his truth, and salvation. And always includes themselves and their selfishness. So, Paul prays for the Ephesians to have the love of Christ.

Notice in verse 19. In the first point. Paul says that the love of Christ moved by God’s power is more than human reason and knowledge. And to know this love that surpasses knowledge. The believer knows the love of Christ in a way it cannot be known intellectually. Just like the cancer patient knows cancer. In a way that it cannot be known intellectually by the doctor. They know it experientially. Similarly, the believer’s experience of Christ’s love surpasses human reason and knowledge. So, Paul is not saying that the love of Christ cannot be known intellectually. He already prayed in verse 18. That they would grasp the width, length, height, and depth of Christ’s love. But he saying that, Christ’s love goes deeper than mere reason and knowledge. How does go deeper?

Notice the second part of verse 19. Paul says, That you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Christ’s love goes deeper than mere reason. The believer is filled with God’s fullness. In other words, the knowledge of Christ’s love is only the beginning of grasping Christ’s love. The real point of efficacy is when. The believer is filled with the fullness of God. And what is the fullness of God? Paul used this phrase in chapter 1:23 as well. Pointing out that Christ is the fullness of God to the church. In other words, Christ himself is the fullness of God.

All to say, that beyond the human standard, version, reason, and knowledge of love. Is Christ’s the fullness of God as the believer’s standard and depth of love. Christ’s love is more than mere conceptualization. It is essentially transformation – facts turned to faith. At your conversion, what you knew about Christ was translated into what you feel for him. That’s why the latest psychological self-help book and method called ‘self-love’ won’t work. You need God’s love – in the form of Jesus’ life, death, resurrection, and glory.

Notice verse 20. Paul now builds his next point on his first. He says, secondly, that God’s love in Christ is: more than human measure. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us. If the love of Christ surpasses human reason and knowledge, it cannot be measured. Christ is the fullness of God. And he is eternal and infinite. So his love is incalculable. Paul speaks here with a tone of praise and doxology. So his intent is not to say, God’s love in Christ’s is immeasurable. So don’t even try measuring it. But Paul is saying that, even if you measure Christ’s love, it is still immeasurable. Notice Paul’s confidence in the immeasurable love of Christ. He says, more than all we ask or imagine.

In other words, even after the believer ask for the love of Christ. God has immeasurably more. And even after the believer imagine how much more love God have. God has immeasurably more love in Christ. So the question is not. How much more can God love you. The question is: how much love do you want? Because God through Christ does not run out of love.

So many people struggle to be loved. They have been hurt, disappointed, and betrayed by a human standard of love. And now they struggle with the idea that God’s love is sufficient for them. So they fail to access the fullness of God that is in Christ’s love. Some long for the love of a father. So they question God’s love for them. Others have been hurt in their marriages. So they question God’s love. But they must be assured that God’s well of love is bottomless, it doesn’t run dry. You can ask, imagine, and have all the love of Christ you desire. And there will still be more available. And how is there more available?

Notice the rest of verse 20. According to his power that is at work within us. God’s power has been Paul’s theme so far. Saying that by God’s power the Ephesian church is strengthened in Christ. And now, he says that, by God’s power and ability. God does immeasurably more in them towards the love of Christ. Meaning, Christ’s love is available immeasurably for the believer. Because God’s power is continuous within the believer. As long as you desire the love of Christ. The power of God is able to provide.

Notice verse 21. Paul says that God’s love in Christ is: more than human choice. To him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. God is glorified in the church and in Christ Jesus. Why? Because God powerfully produces Christ’s love within the believer. Which is Christ as the fullness of God. In other words, the only place where real, divine, deep, and immeasurable love is. Is within the church among the believers. Not to say that, the world does not act out as God’s image bearers, in a tainted measure of love. But the love of Christ is not found outside God’s people. Because Christ dwells within his people alone. So if you want to know God’s love – know Christ. And if you want to share God’s love – be among others who know Christ.

There is no alternative place of love than in Christ and the church. People search for love everywhere except in Christ. And among his people. They always search for alternative communities to feel loved. Whether it be school cultures, outdoor activities, or community projects. Not that any of these things are wrongs. But God’s standard of love is in Christ and among his people alone. But you may be thinking, ‘Of course people look for love in other places if the church fails to be loving’. But this is exactly the problem. If the church fails to love. Then there is no hope anywhere else. Because God’s love is in Christ and his church. So, the answer is not to find a human standard of love. The answer is to, just like Paul, to pray for the deep, immeasurable, and Christ-like love to be present in the church.