And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. (Ephesians 3:19) 

 

When I was in divinity school, I took classes about God, church history, the Bible, Hebrew, and Greek. Seminarians take these classes for three or four years to gain knowledge that will form us and help us be effective ministers when we leave school. People who are seminary-trained are supposed to be prepared when asked to preach or confronted with a difficult question. Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians flies in the face of any efforts we make to know God on our own. He prays that they may be strengthened by the Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in their hearts through faith, not by attaining a special kind of knowledge. Then he prays they may “know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge” (3:19) The strength of the Spirit, Christ dwelling in our hearts, and the love of Christ are gifts that a pastor cannot give. These gifts come only from God through faith, not by our own efforts to achieve a special level of knowledge. God’s love and presence are gifts given freely by God. That’s something worth knowing. 

 

Thank You, God, for the gift of Christ’s love that surpasses knowledge. Amen. 

 

I pray you are not offended by such a devotion. There is nothing wrong with going to school to learn more about God and the scripture and to further your knowledge of God. It’s when we try to know God on our own, as the devotion explains. When I read this devotion it blessed me. I was reminded of Luke 12:12, The Holy Spirit will give you the words to say at the moment when you need them. What you put in will come out, if you put God’s word in, when you need it, The Holy Spirit will give you the words to say in the time of need, it’s The Holy Spirit in you that reaches those who are lost not the amount of knowledge you have attained. Remember to keep Him first, then your knowledge will become useful in winning souls to further His kingdom. It’s about more than just knowledge. 

 

Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord! 

 

Today’s Reading is Romans 15:4