“Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21
In drawing the contrast between Himself, and the evil one, the Lord spoke of the thief who comes, “…but to steal, kill, and to destroy.” (John 10:10) The Lord then speaks of Himself as being that One who came, not only to give Life, and that eternally, but to give it in abundance. If we look throughout Scripture, with regard to God’s anointing and working in the hearts of men, we find that His objective is always to give to the uttermost of Himself, to “fill to the full,” to satiate the soul, to fill the cup to overflowing. The issue is never how much He is willing to give, but how much man is willing to receive. One thing is for certain which we see in the letter of Paul to the believers in Ephesus. God is able to do that which exceeds what man, the believer, can ever ask for, or even contemplate. Why not defer to God in His wisdom to do that which is worthy of Him? Can He find hearts that will trust Him to do so, giving Him full and free reign to accomplish the whole of the will of God? What is the principle means by which God is willing and able to do this? It is simply by the “power that worketh in us.” Perhaps the clearest example of this truth is the realization of the promise of the Father at Pentecost. The disciples of Jesus’ day had a great knowledge of the truth of God, but lacked the power to live it, and be a testimony to the world of the reality and active presence of God. It would take the power of the Spirit at Pentecost to transform them into effective vessels, communicating the life of God in Christ to the world. But, what about us today? Where is the church in God’s design and purpose? And what is her role?
When we come to the book of The Revelation, after the initial vision of the victorious Christ in His glory and power, we are brought face to face with seven churches, which in all probability represent most if not all of the churches throughout history. It is to these seven churches, represented by seven lampstands in John’s vision, that individual letters from Christ are addressed. There are those who believe that these successive letters represent the state, and condition, of the church throughout the centuries until this day, the first letter to the Ephesian church dealing with the loss of its first love for Christ. The last letter was to the Laodicean church, dealing with her self-centeredness, and twisted sense of righteousness, thinking she was rich because of material blessing, and yet, she was poor, for the Lord Jesus was on the outside, knocking, desiring entrance. The great and central theme of these letters is the communion of these churches with the Lord Jesus, the Risen King, and Beloved Bridegroom. The Lord deals with this issue, either directly or indirectly, dealing with specific needs without and within, which might interrupt, disrupt, or hinder such fellowship. It will be at the conclusion of every letter that the Lord will say, “To him that overcometh…” Why? It is because of the race run and the crown to be won, that every obstacle and form of opposition, must be overcome.
What then about abundance of life? The believer was baptized into Jesus Christ to know His fullness in the measure of God’s giving. Christ did not die partially on the cross, nor rise partially from the grave. Pentecost was a day of fullness, Christ filling the life by the Spirit. This is the will of God today, His fulness. As to the matter of abounding, Paul writes: “…be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.”
Dear Father, Fill us abundantly to abound. In Jesus’ name, Amen.