“And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent…
“For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.” Colossians 1:18; 2:9-15
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14
Words are packed with meaning, sentences swell with description, messages conveyed are replete with power to convey the fullness of our Lord and Savior. Ponder the fullness of deity, grace, and light within the flesh- limited Christ, bursting with the perfection and love and goodness and power of God the Father. Can the mind hold it all in? He is completely sufficient and able and fills all in all. (Romans 8:31-32; Ephesians 1:22-23)
And this divine fullness is available to His children! We who know Christ and have been saved by His blood own within His limitless Spirit. His grace availed toward us enables us to avail ourselves of all His supply. (1 Corinthians 2:12; Philippians 4:19)
Yet often we live in the lowlands and allow this wondrous reality to get lost in the mayhem of daily life. We fuss and dicker and fritter around in foolish frenzies of fear and fretting. We accept forgiveness but forget all it affords. What could be daily hope-filled experience and fullness of joy gets shoved to the wayside by lesser things.
How do we go about tapping into the fullness of Christ? Can we identify the insignificant concerns that consume us? Would we confess our weakness and self-absorption and ask God’s help to desire and employ His riches? How will we avail ourselves of His wisdom in challenging situations? How readily will we wield His power over temptation and besetting sin habits? We own these heavenly treasures! (Ephesians 1:3-10)
“All hail the power of Jesus’ name!
Let angels prostrate fall.
Bring forth the royal diadem,
and crown him Lord of all!
Let every tongue and every tribe
On this terrestrial ball,
to him all majesty ascribe,
and crown him Lord of all!
Oh, that with all the sacred throng
we at his feet may fall!
We’ll join the everlasting song
and crown him Lord of all.” ~Edward Perronet (1780)
Lord, help me rejoice in and live out the fullness of all You are and share, so You are exalted and desired.
As the rain and snow 