And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”
(Ephesians 3:17-19 NIV)
What does it mean to be “Filled with God?” To be “full” is to be complete, saturated, with no more space. What you are filled with has you in its grip; it will control you and come out of you. Take anger. If you are full of anger, it will control you and come out in your words and actions. So, too, with joy. If you are full of joy, it will emanate from you. But, if we’re honest, we’re never completely and totally filled with anything on this side of heaven. Someday, we will be filled completely with all the good things of God. But until then we struggle against flesh and blood and powers of this dark world we live in. The absolute best person in the world still cannot be completely 100% filled with God’s goodness.
If I ask you to name an evil person (and there are plenty to choose from), would that person be completely, 100% filled with evil?
I don’t think they can be. No matter who they are or what they have chosen to do, they still were created in God’s image, precious in his sight and loved. Even that person who is 99 1/2% evil is still created in God’s image and precious to God. Are they redeemable? Yes. Even if it seems unlikely that [fill in any evil person’s name here:] _______ will turn from their wickedness, Jesus told us simply to LOVE and PRAY for our enemies – for the wicked in this world. After all, if God can choose Saul, who, by his own words, was the “worst sinner,” to become one of the most effective apostles and evangelists, he can redeem and use “Mr(s). 99 1/2% Evil.”
Once an evil person has chosen to repent, turn to God for salvation, and begin living life in relationship with Jesus Christ, God can do anything through them. Actually, God can do anything through any of us when we are continually surrendering to Holy Spirit’s influence. It’s kind of like cleaning your garage: when you get rid of all the junk in your garage (or heart) you have more room for the stuff that’s supposed to be in there (love, joy, hope, peace). Instead of being filled with stuff that doesn’t serve you any more, you can release it to the God of the Universe who then fills that space with his Goodness. “In Christ you have been brought to fullness.”
Full of God. Sounds good.
Creating God,
Thank you for creating us in your image, precious, loved, and honored. Thank you for the call to be your children as we believe in you as Lord and Savior. Thank you for the fullness of Holy Spirit that can live within us, guiding, comforting, and helping us. Thank you for the mercy and patience we were and are shown in Christ. Help us to remember that no one is beyond the possibility of redemption and that we are all called to love and pray – even for our enemies. And we do pray that you will fill your children to the measure of all the fullness of God. To the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. In Christ’s name we pray, Amen.
“So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” (Genesis 1:27 NIV)
“You are precious and honored in my sight, and I love you.” (Isaiah 43:4 NIV)
“I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44 NRSV)
“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (1 Timothy 1:15-17 NIV)
“Fullness”
Pour it out
Let your love run over
Here and now
Let your glory fill this house
Now the world awaits your presence
And this power is within us
We will rise to be your witness
Spirit come, Spirit come
Written by Steven Furtick, Chris Brown, Matthews Ntlele CCLI#: 7067557