“And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.” Ephesians 3:19
After Adam and Eve sinned, and sin entered into the world, the effects of sin began to manifest themselves. That which was perfect in the Garden of Eden, that perfect creation of man, created in the image of God, began to deteriorate. The highest, and glorious pinnacle of God’s creation, began the long descent into godlessness, ungodliness, and that which was the absolute opposite of all that God created man to be. The settled attitude of God concerning sin, and all that it produced in fallen man, was an antagonism, a repulsion, and rejection which Scripture calls the wrath of God. Not only would there be the opposition to ungodliness, but there would also be the settled certainty of judgment with regard to it. However, the story does not end there, because of God, His mercy, grace, and love. That which He did, settled in heaven from the foundation of the world, was the provision to every man, a way, a path, and power, an enablement, by which God would answer the call of his heart, intervening in man’s hopeless and helpless existence. Where there was death, destruction, slavery, and no possible way to escape the certainty of sin’s effects, and final judgment of sin, God would provide a means of salvation, of redemption and deliverance, of such magnitude, as to provide man with a clean heart, a saved soul, a new life, that of the Son of God by the Spirit. Taken from the dungeons of darkness and death, man’s chains were shattered, and the call came forth for him to arise, come alive, and live free from the laws that govern the kingdom of darkness, and lifelessness. Not only would there be the declaration by God of a certain WAY to respond to His light and power, but there would be the revelation of man’s freedom and capacity to rise up, and follow God, in Christ. Man would, in Christ, because of the mystery hidden throughout the ages, and now revealed to the living body of Christ, the church, be offered not only the deliverance FROM bondage and lostness, but deliverance UNTO Life everlasting, having been raised in Christ, and now seated in heavenly places in Him. It is for this reason that the Psalmist would ask the question, and declare: “Whom have I in heaven but Thee? And there is none upon earth that I desire beside Thee..” (73:25) Paul, the Apostle, would echo the same truth but in a different manner: “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.” (Col. 3:1) And so, a perfect salvation from sin, self, Satan, and the world system is offered to every man, woman, and child. It is a salvation that is without fault, powerful, certain, and secure, never changing, nor can it be altered by the effect of Satan’s works. But it is designed for a purpose, one which reaches into heaven itself, so that saved man should live by the power of God, for the glory of God, according to the design and will of God. How can this be done? Certainly, three “fillings” are essential.
The first filling is mentioned in Paul’s words to the Ephesian believers: “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess, but be FILLED with the Spirit.” (6:18) This filling speaks first of all of “authority,” attitude of submission and surrender of one’s life to God. In that surrender, total cleansing from sin is provided. The vessel of one’s life offered to God can then receive the fulness of Christ’s blessed life, by the Spirit.
The second filling is that of being filled, “…with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom, and spiritual understanding.” (Col. 1:9) God only works, fills, leads and blesses according to the revealed truths of will, purposes, and designs.
Lastly, Christ is formed in the believer when filled with the fruits of His life. (Phil. 1:12)
Dear Father, Fill us with Christ. In Jesus’ name, Amen.