We measure everything in our daily lives—the dimensions of a basketball court, the depth of a swimming pool, the length of a running track. But how can we possibly measure something as vast and profound as God’s love? Ephesians 3:18-19 urges us to “grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.” This begs the question: how deep and wide is God’s love, and can we even begin to fathom its immensity?
The Bible offers glimpses into God’s meticulous nature. In Genesis, God provides Noah with precise dimensions for the ark, a vessel of salvation. Later, specific measurements are given for the tabernacle and the temple, designated spaces for encountering God’s presence. These structures, with their defined boundaries, housed the divine presence for a specific time and purpose.
However, with the arrival of Christ, the limitations of physical structures were shattered. Matthew 27:51 describes the tearing of the temple veil, symbolizing the opening of a new and unrestricted access to God. We are no longer confined to specific locations or rituals to experience His presence. Through faith in Jesus, we become the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit, as Ephesians 3:17 states, “that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.”
Beyond Measure: The Uncontainable Love of God
The dimensions of God’s love defy human comprehension. Ephesians 3:19 speaks of being “filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” But even this concept of fullness is transcended by the promise in Ephesians 3:20 that God “is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.” His love is not confined to length, width, height, or depth; it extends beyond any boundaries we might attempt to impose.
Embracing the Limitless: Living in the Fullness of God’s Love
How then do we reconcile our finite understanding with the infinite nature of God’s love? We begin by acknowledging the limitations of our own perspectives. Have we inadvertently placed God in a box, limiting Him to our own preconceived notions? Where in our lives – our health, relationships, decisions – do we need to allow God’s immeasurable love to break through and work in transformative ways?
Through stillness, prayer, and meditation on the scriptures, we can open ourselves to experiencing the vastness of God’s love. As we dwell on His boundless grace and mercy, we allow His love to permeate every aspect of our being, filling us to overflowing with His presence. We are called to not just understand this love intellectually, but to experience it deeply and personally, allowing it to shape our lives and guide our actions.
Conclusion: Resting in the Infinite
Ultimately, the question of “how deep and wide is God’s love?” leads us to a profound realization: it is a love that surpasses knowledge, a love that cannot be quantified or contained. It is a love that invites us to step beyond our limited understanding and rest in the boundless embrace of the divine.
(Scripture References: Ezekiel 48:35; 1 Corinthians 6:19; Revelation 11:1, 19)
