LIVING WATERS
For the proclamation of the Gospel and the edification of the Body of Christ
The Measures of Christ
"...that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and depth and height, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God" (Eph. 3:17-19).
What do these dimensions refer to? It is normally thought of as the love of God in Christ. However, it is only after these dimensions are mentioned that it is said "…and to know the love of Christ", as if it were something different.
If we examine the context, we will see that they refer to Christ himself: "...that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith..." (v. 17). It is interesting that it is not overtly stated that this is about Christ. Like other truths of Scripture, they are as if hidden; as if waiting for the day and place to be revealed.
What is the breadth of Christ? In Greek, the word corresponding to 'breadth' appears only in Revelation 20:9, and refers to the breadth of the earth, and in Revelation 21:16, to refer to the breadth of the new Jerusalem. The breadth of Christ is thus the breadth of the earth, and also that of the holy city, his church. How significant!
What is the length of Christ? It is such as Jacob's ladder, which joined heaven and earth, the two ends of the universe. He unites the exalted and inaccessible holiness of God with the denser blackness of our sinful state.
What is the depth of Christ? To discover it, we have to look into his tender heart, where all men, of all colors, of all races, fit. Whatever their condition, they are there, washed by His precious blood, sealed with the Holy Spirit, and sheltered in the love of the Father.
And what is the height of Christ? The Greek word for 'height' is also used in Ephesians 4:8, referring to the height of the heavens. Christ is today glorified in heaven, but his feet are on earth, and he walks on it, through the church.
Christ is the New Man, the spiritual Man, who, unlike us, has not only stature or breadth, but embraces all the wonderful dimensions of the new creation. And these dimensions are imparted to us by the Holy Spirit, to express them on earth.