Ephesians 3:19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
Knowing the love of Christ is beyond our mere intellect. So, how is it we can know the length, breadth, depth and height of God’s love along with all saints? God provides us with the answer in His word.
First: obedience:
1 John 2:5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. Though our submission, God perfectds His love in us and carries it through to completion.
Second: loving others:
1 John 4:12 . If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. Love is of God and He desires that we be like Him. God so loved the world that He gave . . . This I part of His holy character and hHe desires us to be like Him in love.
We must remember that He first loved us and we are responding to that love of the Author of love who instigated the relationship of love. Our obedient response is evidence that we have His love within us. The manifestation of love through us is witness to the world of our relationship to and with Him (John 13:35.
Our ability to comprehend the love of God directly relates to our reaction to His love. The more we surrender our hearts in obedience and demonstrate love to others, the more God allows us to grasp the enormity of Christ’s love (John 14:21).
Proof of obedience:
In Luke 6:46 Jesus said, “ And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” A complaint of those who dislike Christian teaching is that Christians do not act like Christians. This is not just a New Testament complaint or problem; Israel’s history is replete with rebellion and repentance – so much so that the Psalmist says, “ That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: 7 That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments: 8 And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.”
John’s emphasis is not on reasons for willful disobedience but on the results of obedience.
- Walking in the light ensures fellowship (1 Jn 1:7)
- Constant and willing obedience produces an effective prayer life (1 Jn 3:22; 5:14)
- A lifestyle of obedience brings an awareness of the Holy Spirit’s indwelling (1 Jn 3:24)
- Loving God produces obedience which in turn brings joy in that obedience (1 Jn 5:3)
Our deeds show Who we serve (1 Jn 3:7). Our righteous deeds prove Who we serve (Matt 7:16-20)