“We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.”
—1 John 4:16

Reflection

Beloved, when we are strengthened by God’s Spirit in our inner man, something supernatural happens. Our faith grows, and that faith causes us to become rooted and grounded in love.

In Ephesians 3, the apostle Paul prayed that Father God would strengthen believers with power through His Spirit so that Christ would dwell in their hearts through faith. He then prayed that they would know the love of Christ, which surpasses knowledge, and be filled with all the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:16–19).

It’s interesting to note that being strengthened by God’s Spirit in the inner man results first in faith.

Faith is a thing. It has substance. It has a spiritual fiber, if you will. It is power. It is the substance of things hoped for, the assurance of things not obtained (Hebrews 11:1). It allows us to think God’s thoughts, believe what God believes, and desire what He desires.

Faith comes from God’s Word and from being strengthened on the inside.

When someone is strong inside by the power of God’s Spirit, there’s a life within that individual that gives them faith, and this faith connects them to love.

Fear believes God may not come through for you. Faith believes God is good and that we are safe and protected in Him. And Scripture tells us that perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18).

Think about children who are raised in safe homes. They trust in their parents’ love. They feel secure because they know they’re loved. And because they feel safe, they are free to express love themselves.

Similarly, when we believe in God’s goodness, His promises, and His Word, the fruit of love will come forth from our lives.

Consider what happened when Jesus washed His disciples’ feet. Scripture tells us that Yeshua knew the Father had given all things into His hands, that He had come from God, and that He was returning to God (John 13:3–5).

Stop for a second and think about this.

Messiah knew He was loved. He knew He was secure. He knew where He was going. He knew He had everything. As a result, He was perfectly free to love and serve.

When you and I are strengthened in our faith, believing that God is good, that He will supply our needs, and that we will spend eternity with Him, this gives us the ability to open up in love and care about other people.

The more I grow in relationship with my Messiah Yeshua, the more I realize that love truly is the central aim.

We were created for relationship. When we know who we are to the Father, how precious we are to Him, and how deeply He loves us, we are going to be free.

Beloved, as you pray Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3, your faith will be strengthened. You will grow in freedom and love, becoming a greater blessing to others and being transformed into His likeness from glory to glory.

Application

• Pray Ephesians 3:16–19 over your life, asking Father to strengthen your inner man so that your faith grows and you become rooted and grounded in His love.
• Consider how trusting in God’s goodness and provision can free you from fear and help you open your heart to love and serve others.

Prayer

Abba Father, thank You for loving me and calling me into a deeper relationship with You. Strengthen me with power through Your Spirit in my inner man so that my faith will grow. Root and ground me in Your love, and help me truly believe in Your goodness, promises, and provision. Remove fear from my heart and give me the freedom to love and serve others as Yeshua did. Fill me with the fullness of Your love and continue transforming me into Your likeness from glory to glory. In Yeshua’s name, amen.