THE FULLNESS OF GOD

To know the love of Christ which passes knowledge, that you may be filled with all the FULLNESS OF GOD – Ephesians 3:19

Let’s ponder on the FULLNESS of GOD! Fullness is defined as the quality or state of being full or of being filled to capacity; the state of having every necessary or expected part, component or step. Moreover, the word “fullness” signifies abundance, completeness, and perfection; having all it can contain; having no empty space; abundantly supplied or furnished. It may have reference to a vessel filled to the brim; or to a measure filled with valuable seed or grain. All of these illustrate fullness in abundance, but they fall far short of that set before us in the precious words spoken by John the Baptist. In God’s Mind, fullness transcends abundance into overflowing and endless realms. “Grace for grace” or “grace upon grace” means that grace received is the earnest of greater grace descending, and the forerunner of richer resources and more bounteous supplies from the infinite fountain.

That fountain of fullness, that ever-abounding supply of grace and glory, is well expressed by Paul: that you “may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height – to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God” (Eph.3:18-19). In the contemplation of the grand, vast, and glorious subject, the apostle breaks forth in this doxology: “Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly…” (Eph.3:20). Mark that expression, “able to do.” God's whole resolve is included in it. He “is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.” It surpasses imagination to comprehend all the fullness of God. In it we can only think of every attribute, every thought, every word, and every work of His, conspiring for the salvation and glory of His Church. Just think, Jehovah, in all that He is and all that He has, for us mortal beings!

There isn’t a more appropriate way to conclude this meditation than to personalize and confess Paul’s prayers for believers in Ephesus: “For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant me, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in my inner man, that Christ may dwell in my heart through faith; that I, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height – to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that I may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that I ask or think, according to the power that works in me, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”