Passing Beyond!

In school there is always the hope for a “passing” grade and the expectation of “passing” from one grade to another. Then there are games of various sorts that involve “passing”: football, ultimate frizbee, “passing” the buck, “passing” the blame, etc.

When I studied Greek in college, there were some words which were easier to remember than others due to word association. For example, the Greek word “ballo” which means “to cast or throw” was easy to remember because I associated “ballo” with a ball that could be thrown. Then there is the word “HUPERBALLO”. Perhaps at first sight you might think of a superball. I lost several of those as I was growing up because they bounced further than I had expected. The word “huperballo” literally means “to throw over or beyond.” Though that might have been what those superballs did, playing ball is not what Paul had in mind when he used the word.

In referring to the love of Christ, Paul stated…
“(19) and TO KNOW THE LOVE OF CHRIST THAT SURPASSES [huperballo] KNOWLEDGE, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” ( Ephesians 3:19)

Knowledge is wonderful. There are things we need to know that relate to life now and eternity. As much as we might know there are still many things we do not know. Gaining knowledge is a lifelong process and there are some things that will only be known in the realm to come. (note 1 Corinthians 13:12 and 1 John 3:2) This being true, we will experience the lack of understanding and wisdom we sometimes desire. However, Paul referred to coming to “know the LOVE OF CHRIST THAT SURPASSES (huperballo, beyond) KNOWLEDGE.” How can we come to know that which is “beyond” knowledge?

Note the passage again as it reads in the New Living Translation.
“MAY YOU EXPERIENCE THE LOVE OF CHRIST, THOUGH IT IS SO GREAT YOU WILL NEVER FULLY UNDERSTAND IT. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.” [NLT © 1997, Tyndale House]

We can EXPERIENCE LOVE without completely understanding it or being able to fully explain it. Among several things Agur mentioned in Proverbs as being too wonderful and that he did not understand was the way of a man with a maiden. ( Proverbs 30:18-19) I think he must have had the LOVE EXPERIENCE in mind and perhaps we have seen relationships that seemed to defy logic. However, on an even higher level, can we fully explain the love of God or the love of Christ Who gave Himself for such an unworthy people? ( Romans 5:8) Sometimes love does defy logic. Sometimes love cannot be adequately explained. The truth about love is we don’t have to be able to explain it for it to be EXPERIENCED. Actions done in genuine love often convey what words cannot.

In light of the example of Christ, John exhorted…
“(16) BY THIS WE KNOW LOVE, that HE LAID DOWN HIS LIFE FOR US, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. (17) But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? (18) Little children, let us not LOVE in word or talk but IN DEED AND IN TRUTH.” ( 1 John 3:16-18 ESV)

If we have a true appreciation for the LOVE EXPERIENCED in Christ we should be compelled to help others EXPERIENCE LOVE in its genuineness and purity as well. Loving actions may cause the world to wonder. Others may not be able to explain such a love in the midst of a world that generally only loves those who love them. (note Matthew 5:44-46) As the demonstration of Christ’s love speaks powerfully to us, our loving actions can do the same. John also stated, “We love, BECAUSE HE [GOD] FIRST LOVED US.” ( 1 John 4:19 ESV) May His love that “surpasses knowledge” be channeled through our life to those around us.

Have a great day SEEKING FOR HIS LOVE TO ABIDE IN AND WORK THROUGH US!
Carl

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