This week’s devotions are based on Week 6 of the Series Ephesians: Becoming Who You Are (CLICK HERE)
Ephesians 3:18-19 And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
How wide is the love of Christ?
Have you ever been part of a “group hug”? You know, those moments when a group of people perhaps have a bit of tension among them and someone suggests, “Group hug!” Everyone stretches their arms out as wide as they can and encircles as many people as possible. The best is when the width of the hug’s reach is wide enough to encompass everyone who is there.
It feels good to be part of a group hug. It’s great to have the arms of others wrapped around you in a truly sincere hug. You feel included. You feel loved.
When asked, “How much does Jesus love you?” a child may respond by flinging their arms as far apart as they can and saying, “THIIIIIS MUCH!”
It’s true. Jesus loved you enough to stretch his arms as wide as they could and have his love spread over you…and many more. • John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
To be included in Christ’s saving work is in itself a tremendous gift of love. But then to add to that, the width of God’s love has also led him to include us in his family! 1 John 3:1 How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!.
Over the centuries, God’s love has stretched wide over many people around the world and across the eras. He has included in the hug of his grace people from every nation, tribe and people group. He has given to forgiveness to countless people around the world and assured them all that they were part of his family. His love for all of us is boundless. It is lavished on us and surrounds us.
- Ephesians 1:13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation.
You too!
Jesus’ love is so wide that it also includes you.
You don’t have to question it, earn it, or try to justify it. The group hug of the Father, Son and Spirit’s love wraps securely around you and assures you, you are a loved, forgiven child of God.
I pray we all can grasp how wide is God’s love for you today!
Apply: Have you ever felt outside the love of God? How does it feel? As you picture and sense the arms of your Savior wrapping around you, how does it feel to experience the width of God’s love for you?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for the immense width of your love that includes me in your love. AMEN.