You have heard about not judging a book by its cover! Well, let me just ask you to please not judge this article by its title. I’m asking because I have mentioned the title to two people, and both said: “You cannot measure His love, it is boundless.” Let’s see if I can get them in agreement with just such a title.
So, let’s look at three words that mean the same thing:
OBTAIN, APPREHEND and COMPREHEND
According to the Apostle Paul, we are in a race. He gave us instructions to run this race in such a manner that we may obtain! (1st Corinthians 9:24) OBTAIN is “katalambano” in the Greek – and means to “receive FULLY.” I do not know about you, but personally, I’m not content to run a race and come trailing in 2nd place. Spiritually speaking, my desire means a lot more than just experiencing the “in part” portion of the present age; the down payment of what I am racing towards. I want to taste of the good word of God and the powers of the age to come. (Hebrews 6:5) I want to run in a manner that I can “obtain it.”
There is a full oneness that we obtain with Father when Christ receives us into His fullness. We know we have the deposit, but the fullness has not yet been obtained. I desire that fullness; the fullness of the Spirit of Christ.
Even though the word “obtain” sounds like something we work for, we must always remember that our works follow our faith and that “faith” is by grace. It is His faith working in us that will cause us to obtain. It is all by His marvelous grace.
The 2nd word we want to look at is in Philippians 3:18: I admit that I haven’t yet apprehended the absolute fullness that I’m pursuing, but I run with passion into His kindness so that I may reach the purpose that Jesus Christ has called me to fulfill and wants me to discover. Again, the Apostle Paul is pursuing and patiently running the race to fully receive the fullness of Christ that he had not yet apprehended.
Another definition of “apprehend” is to grasp something with a grip so tightly that you will not let go of what one has grasped. To that intent, is my desire to not fall short in the race. This understanding should cause a desire in us to know Him more completely and keep us from being satisfied with the status quo. I can identify with the song lyrics: He gets sweeter and sweeter as the days go by.
Can we possibly believe along with Paul for this? We serve a God of faith. Believing for it is the key to obtaining/apprehending anything in God. Faith is a requirement for victory in all matters concerning spiritual things.
There is a progression in the purpose of our Father. Hosea writes in chapter 6:2-3: After two days He will revive us; On the third day He will raise us up, that we may live (be quickened) in His sight. Then shall we know, “IF” we follow on to KNOW the Lord – There is a continuing on if we are to KNOW Him and, in this case, to know Him as both the latter and the former rain. (This has to do with our ongoing growth depicted by the 3 Main feasts of the Jews – See “The Third Heaven” under “Teachings” on this website).
We cannot begin the race and then stop short of the finish line but must desire to follow on to “KNOW” Him. Following on requires faith in the progressive unfolding of His purpose in us, which is to see Him face to face; to be like Him. He wants to see Himself in us! He had the fulness of the Spirit. So shall we when we see Him face to face. If we do not follow on from salvation but are satisfied just to “get to heaven;” this is not knowing Him. Such is the need to have faith for a continuing revelation, with the goal to be fully made in His image. We are to be the visible representations of the invisible God. Who we are is not yet visible. Any builder sees a finished product before he goes through the stages it takes to complete it.
How do you want to receive Him? Do you just want to be on the fringes, or do you want to be fully known of Him and He you? Remember, to some He will say, “I never knew you” and He withheld the Kingdom of heaven from them. They will miss the coming age of ruling and reigning with Christ. That sounds like strange language coming from the voice of incarnate Love, but we hope to prove in this article that because of His matchless love, it is not the end of the story for those who miss out on the coming age. So, hang with us. (Jesus and me)
Salvation means wholeness and is a 3-stage progression, just as in the natural, bringing a baby to birth includes 3 stages. In each stage there is a change that takes place in us. We become one Spirit with the Lord when we receive Him as Savior. In stage 1, there is a change in our Spirit. In stage 2, we receive the Spirit with measure, which is the down payment of our inheritance and there is a change in our soul. In stage 3, our bodies are resurrected to rule and reign with Christ for we see Him as He is. He has the Spirit without measure; He has the mind of God; He is resurrected.
Ephesians 3:18-19: So that you may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the height and depth and length and breadth, And to know the love of Christ which surpasses all knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fulness of God.
Without the previous verse #17, That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love – “Oh, sweet, sweet Spirit of Divine Love, wrap our minds with comprehension, to desire all that is Truth. Imbue every meditation of your word with Your great and wonderful insight. Reveal what we believe that is not true that we might be brought into more understanding of your love.”
If we are to comprehend these astounding dimensions of God’s love, we not only need to learn of His love, but experience it, that His love might be rooted and grounded in us.
1. Breadth/width
Let’s consider the dimension of breadth as we look at Saul’s experience on the road to Damascus.
Acts 9:1-6: Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound in Jerusalem. As he journeyed, he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” So, he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him. “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.
Such an expanse of the Love of God came to Saul as the Light changed everything, even his name. Changing his name to Paul, God performed a work through Paul to “comprehend: the breadth/width of the outreach of God’s love that encompassed all. He saw that God’s grace was no respecter of persons as the breadth of His love included every nation, kindred, people, and tongue (Revelation 7:9). He finally comprehended Jesus’ words: “If I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto me.” Paul was able to comprehend the breadth of the love of God. He discovered it encompasses all.
So, what is the breadth of God’s love? The final measurement of His breadth is “All inclusive” as meaning total, no one excluded.
2. Length: Length means “the amount of time or distance occupied by something.” It can also mean “the distances between two or more objects.
1st Corinthians 15:25: For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. How much length/time is required? According to this verse, as long as it takes to subdue all His enemies. Subduing all His enemies will mean that He has fully transformed all His children into His image. This covers every age ever mentioned in the written word of God.
There is a tendency to limit God by our own time schedules and our failing concepts. The final destiny of man rests in God’s love and He is not willing that any should perish. Love will accomplish His purpose for love never fails. How much time to secure the destiny for humanity is in God’s capable hands! The length of His love lasts for as long as it takes to accomplish His purpose (to make man (humanity) in His image). To define that any other way would be futile. He is perfectly capable of cutting it short or lengthening it. He is infinite. He will work it out according to the purpose of His own will. We can place our faith concerning the length of God’s love in 2nd Peter 3:8-9: The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
So, what is the length of God’s love? However long it takes to win ALL.
3-4 Height – Depth
The height and depth of God’s love reached down and while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us; Romans 5:8…for all of us. This Love is born of strength and therefore has no need for a return but brings pleasure to God from all that He created. We were lost but He propelled His love towards us and seated us with Him in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:6.
Jonah said he was in hell (Jonah 2:2), but that was not too low for God to reach him. We know the story of Nebuchadnezzar, how he was as low as the cattle of the field and yet he was brought back to sanity by the height and depth of God’s love. The story of Nebuchadnezzar can be found in 2nd Kings 24, 25; 2nd Chronicles 26; and Daniel 1-4. We are never so low that the height and depth of God’s intense love cannot reach us.
Both the height and depth of God’s love causes His ability to do for us regardless of our condition. He helps us up when we are bruised from trials and burdens; even the torment we sometimes experience. But we can also learn to ride on the heights and depths with Him so we can love others who need to be lifted out of the depths of their own despair. The height and depth of His love will keep you and allow you to live in the Spirit and respond to others needs. When a person experiences these dimensions, even if temporarily, they can love intensely as God does and extend themselves to others.
The height and depth of God’s love is an all-encompassing love throughout our lives to help everyone in their time of need. Whether people recognize Him in their struggles or not, He is there redeeming all unto Himself.
So, what is the height and depth of God’s love? It is an all-encompassing redemptive power for this life and the one here-after.
Therefore, Acts 3:21 says: Whom the heaven must receive (Jesus) until the times of restitution (restoration) of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began, and 1st Corinthians 15:28: God will be ALL in ALL!
So, you see even the ones Jesus withheld the Kingdom of heaven from, will eventually be amongst the ALL. His love will win every heart. He came to save the world and that is what He did. Every man will come in his own order! 1st Corinthians 15:23 – For every knee shall bow and every tongue confess. Philippians 2:1-11 – Bow has the idea of worship attached to it, so you see, those who eventually see will receive Christ out of a desire of their own hearts.
Now do you understand the title: “THE MEASUREMENTS OF HIS LOVE?” His Love is everywhere, everywhen and for everyone; that is the measure!
I SURE HOPE THIS HELPS SOMEONE: BONNIE