Fullness of Life - Friday Praise & Pray (for others) December 16, 2022

"Fullness of life" as a concept is mentioned in John 10:10. The New International Version says - The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. Most other translations refer to an abundant life while the New Living Translation (NLT) speaks of a "rich and satisfying life." Regardless of the version, it is clear that fullness of life is desirable. After all, when God has a generous offer, it is to be sought and received with gratitude and praise.

What exactly is the "fullness of life"? What does it look like. Is it about money? Health? Security? A combination of these and more?

The word of God provides a clue in Colossians 2:9-10 - For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority (NLT).

Christ contained the fullness of what God is and has everything God is offering us. This fullness is therefore more than a physical state of being but a spiritual one. A spiritual completeness that spills into every day life, ensuring a richness that surrounds all that concerns a person. A richness that could only be obtained through Christ who, according to Ephesians 1:23, "fills everything in every way."

We receive this by believing in Jesus, by knowing Him and obeying Him. It is He who died and resurrected to make this blessing available to humanity. He doesn't care about our past and how bad we think we are or once were. He cares about bringing us into our glorious future. A perfect example is the Apostle Paul. Originally named Saul, he was a persecutor of those who believed in Jesus. So much so, he presided over the murder of Stephen, a disciple. Yet, God stretched out His hand to Him and after that encounter, Saul was transformed into an ardent believer in Christ. He became an apostle, changing his name to Paul (which means 'humbled') and wrote more than half the books of the New Testament as a servant of God through Christ.

And the Almighty wants to do a similar thing with all of us. He wants to transform us from living for ourselves to living for His glory. That we may have lives that reflect the fullness made available through Jesus Christ. Lives that will be spoken of long after we are gone because of the impact they made for the Lord. Such lives are filled with God's fullness which means blessings, experiencing the miraculous and a protection that defies understanding. These and so much more are the inheritance of those who choose Him and walk with Him for the long-haul.

So what is it you are looking for? What blessing would make your life full? Is it faith? Health? Joy? An end to insomnia? Look to Jesus Christ to supply these things by seeking and receiving spiritual fullness, which will translate into the provision of all your physical needs. For Matthew 6:33 tells us that when we seek the things of God, our needs will be provided. Let us ask Jesus for the spiritual fullness that produces the fullness of life we desire. And let us believe that we shall receive for Matthew 7:11 tells us our Heavenly Father gives good gifts to those who ask Him.

May the grace of the Lord bring us into His fullness and may we experience the blessings promised in Amos 9:13-15, IJMN, Amen.