How to Stay Rooted and Grounded in the Love of Christ

…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)

Understanding the Love of Christ

Scripture often compares a faithful life to a tree. For example, Psalms 1 describes the righteous as a tree planted by rivers of water that brings forth fruit and does not wither. To be “rooted” means to be firmly established, while “grounded” serves as an architectural metaphor for building on a solid foundation. Both metaphors imply stability, suggesting that one who is rooted and grounded is not easily moved, swayed, or influenced. They are deeply anchored and secure in their faith, remaining steadfast even when facing the increasing pressures and challenges of the world.

Paul prays specifically that we would be rooted and grounded in love. This love, or agape, means doing what is best for another person regardless of the cost to ourselves. When we make love a fundamental characteristic of our lives, it keeps us anchored and secures us from wavering. This foundation is essential because God grounded our salvation in His own love. While He saved us by mercy and grace, those actions flow directly from His love. As noted in Ephesians 2, God, being rich in mercy, made us alive because of His great love.

Infinite Dimensions

The farther we look into the universe, the more we discover that its width, length, depth, and height appear infinite. Paul uses this imagery to describe the love of Christ, which passes knowledge. Learning to love as Christ loves entails more than just head knowledge; it requires sacrificial action. We do not truly learn to love until our knowledge becomes experience, particularly when we are called to love our enemies. This level of love is the true measure of Christ’s example. Because this surpasses human ability, we must rely on the influence of the Holy Spirit to comprehend it.

The Power of the Love of Christ in Action

God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us. We see this throughout history, from the deliverance of Daniel in the lions’ den to the preservation of Jerusalem. As the writer of Hebrews 11 reminds us, heroes of faith subdued kingdoms and stopped the mouths of lions through God’s power. This same divine power lives in all Christians today. When we embrace the love of Christ, we tap into a strength that has already done more than anyone could ever imagine or request.