Daily Devotional | Gift Two: Love in Action

In Western society, we think of love as an emotional connection. We use the word love to describe the way we feel about another person or object. While the Bible does not discount the emotional component of love, it gives us a much more robust understanding. Love is a commitment expressed through actions. For the next seven days, we will examine the gift of God’s love in action which is clearly shown to us through Jesus. One of the reasons Jesus came was to demonstrate God’s love for us (Rom. 5:8). His love was clearly evident through many different aspects of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.

In today’s reading, Paul prays for the church at Ephesus. His first request was that they would be empowered by God’s Spirit (Eph. 3:16). But empowered to do what? The answer comes in verse 18. Paul prays that all believers may have the power “to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.” This is, of course, a metaphor. We cannot possibly measure how many cubic feet of space Christ’s love fills.

But the point is clear. Paul desires that the church would carefully consider and reflect upon the love of Christ. Rather paradoxically, Paul then admits that this love “surpasses knowledge” (v. 19). Was he giving us an endless task? How could this be accomplished? The good news comes in verse 20. Paul reminds the church that God can “do immeasurably more that all we ask or imagine.” God promises His help and power to engage in this task.

>> Take a few minutes to pray through today’s passage. Ask God to help you grow in your understanding of His love as shown to us through Jesus. This is a gift we can continue to enjoy and learn more and more about it our entire lives and for eternity.

Pray with Us

Of course, we cannot fully “grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ” (Eph. 3:18). But we can ask our merciful God to help us learn more about His eternal love as we walk with Him. Lord, Your love gives us life!

BY Ryan Cook

Dr. Ryan Cook has taught at Moody Bible Institute since 2012. He earned his bachelor of arts in Bible and Theology from Moody and his master of arts in Old Testament from Grand Rapids Theological Seminary. He has worked in Christian education and served as a pastor in Michigan for seven years. During his time as a professor at Moody, he earned his doctorate from Asbury Theological Seminary. He now lives with his wife, Ashley, and their three children in the Chicagoland area.