Entering Into God's Fullness

Over the last several days I have been consuming myself with Paul's letters to the early church. We have briefly looked at the the freedom in Christ that Paul shared with the church at Galatia. Today I want us to peek into his letter to the church at Ephesus and discover is the understanding needed to enter into the fullness of God. What you will find may shock you.

As I have mentioned before, Paul's preached the gospel to a brand new audience. This group of Gentile believers had not been entrenched in the religious system of the Jews. That's why we find such great liberty in his first letter. The letter to the church at Ephesus came much later and continues in a great procession of leading the people of God into their God-given identity. With the foundation of freedom in Christ firmly established (Galatians), after dealing with necessary instructions on how to function as the Body of Christ (Thessalonians & Corinthians), and following powerful teaching on the grace of God (Romans) and the supremacy of Christ (Colossians) - Paul opens up a whole new world of revelation. We should follow in these steps. The discovery of our freedom in Christ is elementary teaching. How we function as the Body of Christ together is necessary for our growth. Understanding the grace of God will take us to new levels and the recognition of Christ's supremacy will allow us to follow Him into greater things. The identity, inheritance, and intimacy discovered in the Ephesians will allow us to firmly rest in what God has accomplished in Christ and to press into His fullness.

What sticks out to me most in this letter is found in Paul's prayer for the church. In fact, I believe you will see that what he is writing is to help foster the answers. It is my prayer that as you read through this letter that Paul's prayer will be answered in you. In particular that you would be:
1) Strengthened with power through His Spirit in your inner being
2) Rooted and Grounded in love by Christ dwelling in your heart through faith
3) Able to Comprehend the breadth, length, depth, and height of Christ's love
4) Filled with all the Fullness of God

I have blogged about this before but the need is still there. The church has tried her best to be well pleasing to God. We have sought the Lord concerning His commandments. We have tried to be the best that we could be in almost every area. However, it seems to me that we have missed the boat in terms of stepping into our rightful place. Is it any wonder that what Paul addresses here is the same thing that Jesus addressed to the church at Ephesus in the book of Revelation? The whole issue of love is a powerful thing. Paul is trying to help them become established in the love of God. Jesus tells them that they have left their first love. A coincidence? I think not.

If you and I are to enter into the fullness of God then we must lose the idea that we are going to work our way into it. There is no amount of religious effort, no amount of good deeds, and no amount of personal holiness that will make up for being rooted and grounded in the love of God. When you and I are able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth, length, depth, and height - to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge - then we will be able to be filled with all the fullness of God.

Paul tells them about their inheritance in the saints. Paul talks about their heavenly position. The only obstacle they face is to be strengthened, rooted, and grounded in the love of Christ. If they can just enter into it then they can enter into the fullness they long to have. The same is true for us. This thing of comprehending the love of God isn't just there to make us feel good about ourselves. It actually helps us in understanding how God deals with us, operates through us, and how He approaches the world. If you really want to know God then you have to know His love in the deepest possible way.

Take time throughout the remainder of this day to meditate and reflect upon the love of God for you. Recognize the immeasurable greatness of it. Bask in the glow of His redeeming love. Strengthen yourself in the resolve that there is nothing you could do to make Him love you more and that there is nothing you can do to make Him love you less. Rejoice over the fact that you have been seated firmly into Christ and there is nothing that will ever separate you from that love. And from this position you will be able to enter into all that God has for you...ie...His fullness.

Enjoy the journey!!!