THE KNOWLEDGE THAT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE
…so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.
Ephesians 3:16-19
Knowledge. It really is an important thing. Some say that “ignorance is bliss.” Hmm. Try selling that idea to the farmer who barely makes it financially because he is unaware that there is a massive oil reserve on his property. Ignorance is costing him big time.
So it is with the Christian. God does not want us to be ignorant. He wants us to know deep down in our hearts two critical truths that really will change our lives.
1. He loves us with an infinite, everlasting, unconditional love. That may sound simple, but it is so profound. God loves you—even with all your faults, weaknesses, and sins. And the Lord proved His love when He died on the cross for you. Certainly, He died for the world, but He also died for you. Paul said of Jesus, “…who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me” (Galatians 2:20).
You see, everything in the Christian life starts with the knowledge of His love. “We love, because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19). As you and I truly accept His love for us—even when we are at our worst—then we are able to fulfill the greatest commandment which is to love Him with all our heart (see Matthew 22:37). Then we are able to keep His commandments (see 1 John 5:3). Then we are able to love others (see John 13:34).
I heard about a pastor who was struggling with the sin of pornography. He couldn’t break free. Week after week he lived under condemnation, overcome with feelings of guilt, shame, and worthlessness. Finally, he got the help he needed, and victory became a reality for him. On a Sunday morning years later, he was getting ready to preach. He silently thanked God he was no longer shackled to that sin. God spoke to his heart and said something akin to this, “My child, do you think I love you more now than I did then? The truth is I never stopped loving you, even when you were failing miserably.”
How different would your life be if you truly believed that God loved you? How much more secure would you be if you truly were rooted and grounded in His love? Fully accepting His great and personal love will indeed change you from the inside out.
2. He can do anything in your life. The prayer in Ephesians 3 ends in a doxology of praise:
“Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.”
God is able to do miracles in and through you. There is nothing too difficult for Him (see Jeremiah 32:17, 27). Pray BIG and believe Him for BIG things. He is not the God of barely enough; He is the God of more than enough. It honors Him when we ask Him for great things.
When Jesus multiplied the five loaves and two fish, everyone (five thousand men plus women and children) ate and was satisfied… and they had twelve baskets full of leftovers! Such is our God. He is more than able in any and every situation. And when things look the worst, we must remember that He is always at His best. He can part the Red Sea, rain bread down from heaven, and bring forth water from the rock. He is the God of might and miracle in whom nothing is impossible!
As you enter into this New Year, make Ephesians 3:14-21 your prayer each day. He loves you and can do anything in your life. Know the truth, and let the truth set you free.
Love,
Pastor Jeff Schreve,
From His Heart Ministries
Dr. Jeff Schreve believes that no matter how badly you may have messed up in life, God still loves you and has a wonderful plan just for you. From His Heart provides real truth, love and hope on over 700 radio stations each day, in 182 countries each week on TV, and is always available online. Pastor Jeff takes no income from this ministry. All donations go to furthering the broadcast outreach. As a listener/viewer supported ministry, we thank you for joining with us to help speak the truth in love to a lost and hurting world. Go to www.fromhisheart.org for more information.
SPECIAL OFFER
