"The Rights of God" # 26

The Way to God's Fullness

The Epistle to the Colossians is a wonderful unveiling of the fullness of God in Christ, while in the Epistle to the Ephesians we see the Church as the fullness of Him Who fills all in all.

"In Whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the Firstborn of every creature: for by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him: and He is before all things, and by Him all things consist.

And He is the Head of the Body, the church: Who is the beginning, the Firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fullness dwell; and, having made peace through the blood of His Cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven". (Colossians 1:14-20).

"For in Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in Him, Which is the head of all principality and power: In Whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ  buried with Him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God, Who hath raised Him from the dead". (Colossians 2:9-12).

"Having the eyes of your heart enlightened, that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of His power to usward who believe, according to that working of the strength of His might Which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and made Him to set Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule, and authority, and power, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: and He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him to be Head over all things to the church, which is His Body, the fullness of Him that filleth all in all." (Ephesians 1:18-23).

It is understandable that it is important for us to know which fullness God has purposed for us, but we must not overlook the other side of the coin, that God wants us to be His fullness. Paul speaks of an "inheritance of Christ in the saints" (Ephesians 1:11, 18). The Lord has something in us that gives Him pleasure, that which for Him is fullness. The question is just how this will be perfected in us, and whether there are  conditions that have to be recognized and met if the fullness of Jesus Christ is to be realized in us.

~T. Austin-Sparks~

(continued with # 27)