A Love That Surpasses Knowledge: Breaking Down Walls Through God’s Love

God’s love is so wide, so long, so high, and so deep that it surpasses all human knowledge. While we may not be able to fully understand or explain God’s love with human language or reasoning, we can experience it fully—both personally and as a church community. When we truly experience God’s love, it changes us from the inside out.

What is God’s Ultimate Plan?

God has a clear plan, and it’s revealed in Ephesians 1:10. His plan is to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under Christ. In other words, God’s plan is unity.

The problem is that we humans are experts at division. We divide ourselves into groups and tribes—politically, socially, economically, and religiously. These divisions often become walls and immovable barriers between us. But Paul tells us that in Christ, these walls need to come down because Christ came specifically to tear down walls.

How Does God’s Love Break Down Walls?

When we build walls in our hearts—whether to protect ourselves from hurt, betrayal, or rejection—those walls don’t just keep pain out. They also keep God’s blessings out and prevent meaningful relationships with others. Most importantly, they can keep us apart from God and what He’s trying to do in our lives.

The church in Ephesus knew all about walls. Their world was deeply divided between Jews and Gentiles, rich and poor, slaves and free. But Paul reminded them that Jesus had torn those walls down through His sacrifice on the cross. Because of what Christ did, we can and should live differently as a church and as individuals.

What Does It Mean to Be Adopted by God?

In Ephesians 1:3-7, Paul explains that God has adopted us into His family. This adoption is:

• Intentional: No one accidentally adopts someone
• Costly: It required Christ’s sacrifice
• Desirable: God chose us because He wants us

If you’ve accepted God’s gift of salvation, you are a daughter of the Creator, a son of the Most High God. You weren’t reluctantly allowed into God’s family—He chose you because He loves you and desires you.

Why Does Our Identity as God’s Children Matter?

If you are a son or daughter of God, then you’re not an orphan. This changes how you live because orphans have two constant worries:

1. Provision: Will I have enough? Will I be taken care of?
2. Protection: Who’s watching out for me? Who’s keeping me safe?

An orphan has to figure these things out alone, but a child can rest in the knowledge that their Father will provide and protect. The Bible is full of promises that speak to this:

• “This same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs” (Philippians 4:19)
• “Seek the kingdom of God above all else and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need” (Matthew 6:33)
• “The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life” (Psalm 121:7)

Many Christians know intellectually that they are God’s children but still live like spiritual orphans—worrying about whether God will come through, feeling like they have to fight for scraps, thinking they must do everything themselves. Paul urges us to stop living this way and to embrace our identity as children of the King.

How Can We Act on God’s Plan for Unity?

Unity doesn’t happen by accident—it requires intentional choice and action. To achieve unity, we need to shift our mindset from “us versus them” to “us for them.”

An “us versus them” mindset sees our group as the good guys and everyone else as the enemy. But the gospel calls us to something radically different: to be “for” others, even difficult people, seeing them as made in God’s image and as people for whom Christ died.

Being “for” others doesn’t mean excusing sin or compromising truth. It means approaching people the way Jesus did—with grace and truth, loving them enough to tell them the truth in a loving way.

When we choose to love, forgive, and pursue reconciliation, we’re partnering with God’s plan. When we share the Gospel out of genuine care for someone’s eternity, we’re showing God’s love and bringing unity to broken relationships.

What Role Does the Holy Spirit Play in Breaking Down Walls?

According to Ephesians 1:13-14, when you believe in Christ, God identifies you as His own by giving you the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is like a seal that marks you as belonging to God—protected and owned by Him.

The moment you accept Christ, God marks you with His Holy Spirit, who takes up permanent residence within you. The Holy Spirit is the guarantee that you are adopted into God’s family.

It’s important to understand that the Holy Spirit is not just a feeling. You may not always feel the Spirit’s presence, but that doesn’t mean He isn’t there, working in your life—guiding, strengthening, and protecting you.

As a believer, you have the full presence of the living God in you. Romans 8:11 reminds us that “the Spirit of God who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you.” This means you have:

• Guidance when confused
• Strength when weak
• Conviction when wandering
• Comfort when hurting
• Courage when afraid

The Spirit isn’t just working to get you through today—He’s making down payments on your future, guaranteeing your eternal inheritance.

Life Application

This week, I challenge you to:

1. Read through the book of Ephesians, starting with chapter 1.
2. Identify one wall in your life that needs to come down. It might be unforgiveness, fear, or a barrier between you and someone else.
3. Pray daily: “Lord, show me how to break down that wall in my life with your love.”

When you feel old fears creeping in or old walls rising up, remember:

• “I am a son/daughter of the Most High God, not an orphan.”
• When tempted to write someone off: “God is for them, so I will be for them too.”
• When life shakes your confidence: “The Spirit of God lives in me, and my future is secure.”

Ask yourself these questions:

• Am I living like an orphan or like a child of God?
• What walls have I built that are keeping me from experiencing God’s love fully?
• How can I shift from an “us versus them” mindset to an “us for them” approach?
• In what ways am I allowing the Holy Spirit to guide and strengthen me?

Remember: The same God who tore down the wall between you and Him can tear down any wall in your life. You have what you need to take a wrecking ball to those walls through the power of God’s love.