Dimension Of God's Love Series

In Ephesians chapter 3, the Apostle Paul offers a heartfelt prayer for the believers in Ephesus. His deepest desire is for Christ to dwell in their hearts through faith, allowing them to fully grasp, alongside all believers, the vast and boundless love of Christ—a love that surpasses mere intellectual understanding. Paul prays that this love would fill them with the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:17–19). Despite enduring personal hardships for the sake of the gospel (verses 1, 13), Paul considered it all worthwhile if it helped them comprehend the greatness of Christ’s love.

The Greek word Paul uses for "comprehend" goes beyond simple mental acknowledgment; it conveys the idea of seizing and internalizing truth. For the believers in Ephesus to truly understand this surpassing love, they needed more than secondhand knowledge—it required a personal, transformative encounter. Paul calls them—and all believers—to reflect deeply on the reality of being fully cherished by God through Christ. He urges them to explore the full dimensions of Christ’s love: its width, length, height, and depth.

Jesus exemplified this divine love not only in His teachings but in His actions. He described the ultimate expression of love as laying down one’s life for one’s friends (John 15:13) and revealed the Father’s boundless love in sending His only Son to save the world (John 3:16). This love is limitless, transcending human understanding and inviting contemplation, humility, and a genuine pursuit of God. Scripture reminds us to draw near to God to better understand His essence (James 4:8). Paul’s message to the Ephesians—and to all Christians—is to meditate on Christ’s profound love for the church. Later, Paul echoes this love when he calls on husbands to love their wives as Christ loves the church, with selflessness and sacrifice (Ephesians 5:25–27).

Paul's use of dimensional language—length, width, height, and depth—paints a vivid picture of the immeasurable magnitude of Christ’s love. It is a love that surpasses reason, reaching far beyond what we can fully comprehend. Through this four-fold expression, Paul invites believers to embrace the infinite expanse of God’s divine affection and to let it transform their understanding of His grace and purpose.

1. Length of God’s Love

Consider these powerful verses:

Ephesians 1:4: “Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love.”

Jeremiah 31:3: “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.”

How vast is God’s love? Can it truly extend to every corner of existence? Is there any mistake too great or challenge too overwhelming for His love to endure? The answer is a resounding YES. God’s love is limitless, unwavering, and steadfast. It knows no boundaries and cannot be diminished. It’s no wonder Jesus taught us to forgive without end—seventy times seven times (Matthew 18:21-22)—reflecting the boundless nature of God’s love. Like His, our love should strive to be infinite, unreserved, and enduring.

As the psalmist declares, “I am confident that Your love is eternal and Your faithfulness is as enduring as the heavens” (Psalm 89:2, paraphrased).

Human love, by contrast, has its limits. It can fade, grow weary, and sometimes fail. This is why relationships, to truly thrive, must be anchored in God’s love. Unlike human love, His love is patient, relentless, and unchanging.

Isn’t it a source of comfort and hope to know that God’s love for you is constant? No matter your actions or circumstances, His love remains steadfast. It is vast enough to embrace all humanity and enduring enough to last through eternity. God’s love isn’t dependent on what you do or how you feel; it never increases or diminishes based on your daily experiences. Whether you’re walking through joy or hardship, His love is the same—unchanging, unearned, and freely given.

Embrace His love, and respond with devotion. Recognize that His love transcends time and space, reaching into eternity: “And I pray that you will have the strength to comprehend, as all of God’s people should, just how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is. May you come to know the love of Christ, which surpasses all understanding” (Ephesians 3:18-19a, paraphrased).

Reflect on this:

How can you make God’s love the foundation of your relationships and interactions with others?

What is your personal response to the limitless, unwavering love of God?

Scriptures on the Length of God’s Love

The Bible is filled with verses that reveal the infinite scope of God’s love. Consider these examples:

Psalm 117:1-2: “Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol Him, all you peoples. For His steadfast love toward us is great, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.”

Psalm 136:1-3: This psalm repeats a powerful refrain—“His steadfast love endures forever”—reminding us of God’s unshakable commitment to His creation.