Paul prayed for the Ephesians [4:17] that: “…While [they are] rooted and established in love, [they] may have power, together with all the saints.” Examining each phrase, we delve deeply into what Paul is saying. Being rooted, established, and having power in Christ are in connection with all the saints. “…Together with all the saints.” How else can we grasp the width, length, height, and depth of His love … and be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God … unless it is a full Body-of-Christ experience: the Head plus the Body? In other words, those who walk as “lone rangers” cannot experience the full measure of His love. We, as His Body, need full Body life!

This love surpasses knowledge. The love of Christ is a revelation experience as we love Him and love one another in full Body-life engagement. We don’t come to intimately know Him by way of intellect, but through scripture that is revealed by way of the Holy Spirit. We know Him through our spirit man rather than our minds alone. We learn of Him, from Him, by Him, and through relating to His children.

No doubt about it: God’s love can be misrepresented….and often is. Yet, in His wisdom, He established the church to be one Body in Him. Jesus’ final prayer was that we would know Father God and would be one with Him, as Jesus is one with Him. He prayed: “And the glory which Thou hast given Me I have given to them; that they may be one, just as We are one; I in them, and Thou in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, that the world may know that Thou didn’t send Me, and didst love them, even AS Thou didst love Me.” [John 17:22-23] Perfect love is expressed here. Father loves us AS [in the same way, equal, to the same degree] that He loves Jesus!

Amazing love! We can truly come to know its width, length, height and depth as we remain connected to Him and to His Body. He is able to do “exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us.” [4:20]