Monday, April 2, 2007

The Fullness of God???

"...that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God." God through the Apostle Paul to the Ephesians in chapter 3:19b

what does it mean to be filled up to all the fullness of God. Is not the believer the dwelling place of God? Surely he is, for it clearly states that at the conclusion of the previous chapter. So then what does this saying mean? In the context Paul has been dealing with Christ and His body. In particular the "mystery of Christ". He then states that the church of all things is the administration the Father has chosen to reveal the manifold wisdom of God to the "rulers and authorities in the heavenly places", thats quite a blessing and humbling responsibility. Paul then moves on to something that is linked to this topic, however, he is moving on to something new, this is why he states "for this reason..." and then goes on to speak of it. Paul's reason is to pray before the Father to grant strengthen all the saints with "power" through His "Spirit" in the "inner man". He then says the result of this is Christ dwells in our hearts. Here, Paul is pleading to the Father for the equipping and building up of all the saints. So then, how is a Christian sanctified? By God granting strength with POWER through HIS SPIRIT in our inner man. the result is quite beautiful. We come to understand the breadth, length, height, and depth of the Love of Christ. This Love of Christ surpasses knowledge. The other result of this is we are filled up to all the fullness of God. So what does this mean? I am still pondering this however it is my current positon to believe that this passage is dealing with the sanctification of the saint/believer. It is true that God indwells in all His saints. And it is not as though part of God is in us but part of Him is not. God cannot be fractioned into pieces, for He is spirit. However, the intensity by which He dwells in us can change. And this is the glorious part. When our Savior Christ Jesus returns, the fullness of God's GLORY will be in us. Can you imagine? It is utterly beautiful and amazing. No wonder Paul finds himself praying for this. No wonder he bowed his knees before the Father. This is why and how God has chosen the church to be the instrument by which He shows the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places His manifold wisdom. This passage is ultimately about God glorifying HIMSELF!!!! Oh what a mighty God we are blessed to serve. I would like to conclude with the rest of the passage.

"Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us. to HIM be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever! AMEN!" Ephesians 3:20-21

2 comments:

treasuringJesus said...

My dear brother, Stephen,

Oh, how I love your God! For He is the One and only true God!

You said, "When our Savior Christ Jesus returns, the fullness of God's GLORY will be in us. Can you imagine? It is utterly beautiful and amazing."

This certainly is utterly beautiful - God's glory in us!!! Even as Solomon's temple was filled with God's glory, so are we being crafted into a temple (but not made by human hands) to "be filled with all the fullness of God" (Ephesians 3:19, ESV).

"So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit."
(Ephesians 2:19-22, ESV)

Stephen said...

Thanks Adam!

This passage is soo rich with doctrine and truth that just feeds the inner man. Thanks for your thoughts and input.