When I say the word dimensions, what do you think of? Without looking it up, my first thought was a memory of my grandmother measuring out a pattern for a new sewing project. And then I thought about needing a new podcast desk in my office and how I had to measure the space to make sure I bought one that would fit perfectly.
Dimensions, by definition, describes measurement in width, length, and thickness. It can also describe the scope or importance of something. I like both of these descriptions because they equally stretch our imagination when we use the word dimensions in regard to spiritual things.
Everything about God– His Word, His Spirit, earthly and heavenly realms — everything about God stretches the imagination. We can’t possibly understand the full scope of His being. The Bible says His ways are past finding out (Job 9:10). In fact, Paul said, “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and ways past finding out!” (Romans 11:33).
In another place, the Holy Spirit moved on Paul to pray for us, and He specifically requested that “Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height– to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:17-19).
There are dimensions of the love of God.
The Passion Translation says, “[May you] be empowered to discover what every holy one experiences– the great magnitude of the astonishing love of Christ in all its dimensions. How deeply intimate and far-reaching is His love! How enduring and inclusive it is! Endless love beyond measurement that transcends our understanding — this extravagant love pours into you until you are filled to overflowing with the fullness of God!”
What I’m wanting to emphasize is that we probably have no idea how far the love of God reaches. Go ahead and get out your tape measure– it won’t be enough. Use your imagination– it will still probably fall far short of the magnitude of the love of God that asked Jesus to become our mercy seat.
God’s love cannot be measured.
God’s love cannot be measured, and yet there are dimensions to it. For example, His love (His measuring tape) will always be greater than our mistakes. In other words, when you take your regrets and failures and start to measure them, they will always fit inside the love of God. And I’ll add, with a lot of room left over!
The Message Bible challenges us to “…take in with all the followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:18-19, MSG).
I don’t think any of us have found the edge yet. And as I grow in maturity and age, I pray I keep wandering deeper and further into the expanse of this glorious knowledge of the love of our loving God. In fact, when I read about the fruit of the Spirit in the Passion Translation, I thought that’s it– that’s how God wants us to flourish.
“But the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit within you is divine love in all its varied expressions:
joy that overflows,
peace that subdues,
patience that endures,
kindness in action,
a life full of virtue,
faith that prevails,
gentleness of heart, and
strength of spirit.
Never set the law above these qualities, for they are meant to be limitless”
(Galatians 5:22-23, TPT).
Limitless dimensions and expressions.
I pray we’d take the lid off. I pray we’d throw away the limited tape measure we’ve been using and allow ourselves to experience (and share) God’s love in all it’s fullness. This means (1) start with yourself– allow yourself to experience the love of God, and (2) practice the same dimensions in your relationships. In other words, stretch the boundaries of your love (God’s love in you), both for yourself and for others. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised how far it goes.
