“…And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.” Ephesians 3:19
What does it mean to be filled with all the fulness of God? And is it possible for the redeemed, saved sinner, to be filled? The answer to the first question is perhaps not what we would normally think. When we look at Penteost, and the realization of Joel’s prophecy concerning the pouring out of the Spirit of God upon all flesh, we see, according to the account of that day, that all the disciples “received power,” and declared the wonderful works of God. There was the “fulness” of power, communicated to them, and realized in them, which enabled them not only to speak the truths of the Gospel, and the glory of God, but to communicate to all around the reality of this power to save. But, what does power have to do with love, first the experiential knowledge of Christ’s love, but also the communicating of this love to others?
In John’s gospel, when speaking of the new birth, coming to Christ, and the conditions for this to occur, he writes: “…but as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.” (Jn. 1:12) What is John, or rather the Lord, saying here? It is that the power of God, given to the unbeliever to be saved, and to the believer to live by Christ’s life, is that which God gives. It must be received, if there is to be the realization of the victorious life. Essential to every aspect of the life of faith is the power of God. From the Spirit’s moving at creation, to the “quickening” power of the Spirit to believe unto salvation, the issue of power is fundamental to coming to know God, and then, growing in grace, in the knowledge of God. This is why the Apostle Paul not only prays that the Ephesian believers should have a clear and precise vision of who Christ is, and the work that He accomplished on Calvary, but specifically, “…what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of HIs mighty power, which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places.” (Eph. 1:19,20) Paul goes on to write to the Colossian believers, that they should be, “…strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness.” (1:11) Why does he write this concerning the power of God, the very power of Pentecost, and that given by the Spirit to all who would trust Him for it? It is because it is essential, if one would believe God for His fulness, even the fulness of the love of God, and that to be given to others.
How then are we to approach this matter of the “fulness of God,” to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye (we) might be filled with all the fulness of God?” (Eph. 3:19) The first thing is prayer, earnest prayer. This is why the Apostle wrote down his prayers for the Ephesian believers, that they would know HOW to appropriate the power of God, to believe Christ to dwell in the hearts by faith. In the faithless world, if the believer is to stand, overcome, and reign in life by Christ, he must be strengthened, quickened, stirred up, and enabled to trust God for His fulness. So, the first thing is prayer, for it is by this means that the seeking soul can and will find God.
The second thing is faith, based on the knowledge of the truth as revealed in Christ. God told Abraham that He was “the Almighty God,” and then said: “…walk before me an be thou perfect.” (Gen. 17:1) Paul wrote to the Thessalonians:, “Faithful is He who calls you who also will do it.” (1 Thess. 5:24) The revelation of God is essential to faith.
Dear Father, Strengthen us wondrously. In Jesus’ name, Amen.