The Fullness of God

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<p id="viewer-d5jvi">The main focus of the exposition in Col 2:9 is that in Jesus Christ dwells ALL the fullness of the Godhead in bodily form. Since God’s fullness is in Jesus, we are admonished in Col 2:8 not to allow ourselves to be taken captive by any other doctrine/way of life that suggests that we can derive our fullness from any other means. No other way has this fullness. We are therefore advised to keep walking by faith just the same way we have received Jesus. The resultant effect is so that we can GROW to become all God has in store for us (Col 2:6-7). The key word in v9 is “dwell”. To dwell is to have a homestead or resident in a place.</p>

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<p id="viewer-h68r">This statement might not mean much to us today but in the days when this was penned, it was shocking to the Jews. You mean to say it is in this Jesus – born of a carpenter – the one whom we knew His parents and the one that grew up among us - that God’s fullness dwell in? That totally shocked their theology. And in fact, it should not really because God already promised them through Moses, that a Prophet will be raised up from among them (Deut 18:15). Also, you have to remember that ALL the mighty works of God from the exodus till the time of Jesus was recorded and read in their synagogues, homes, marketplace etc according to the law (Deut 11:19, 6:7; Joshua 1:8). The view of God they had was so warped that they can’t imagine God’s fullness dwelling in a “man”. They were so afraid of God that they could not be intimate with Him.</p>

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<p id="viewer-5i78o">Jesus’ behaviour was radical to them so much so they had to kill Him. In fact the charge against Jesus was that this “mere man” called Himself the Son of God (Jehovah) – John 19:7. Why? Because you accord the same honour to the Son that the Father has. They could not get their heads around this. They forgot the promise that God made that He will raise another Prophet from among them and they should listen to Him (Deut 18:15).</p>

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<p id="viewer-6pagg">In Col 1:19 – the same truth was stated. It pleased the Father that ALL God’s fullness is in Jesus. Essentially God the Father was in Jesus (John 17:21-23) and God the Holy Spirit was in Jesus in full measure (Is 42:1; John 3:34). It is important not to forget that this fullness was in Him bodily. This is good news.</p>

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<p id="viewer-3f2oq">God as spirit could not pay for our sins, it has to be “another man” and since Jesus paid for our sin as "God-man" (1Tim3:16), we have hope to approach the throne room in times of need. Jesus is able to comfort us because He was tempted as a man in all ways just as we are but yet without sin. Come boldly to the throne room and thrive in His mercy. It does not matter how bad the issue is, He can fix it and He is not embarrassed by you (Hebrews 4:15-16).</p>

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<p id="viewer-8jb0f"><strong>Action Plan</strong></p>

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<ul><li>Find a quiet a place where you can't be disturbed</li><li>Open your Bible to John 1:16 and read the verse slowly</li><li>As you read, ask yourself the question - what does it mean to have the fullness of Jesus</li><li>Imagine this fullness infusing your entire being.</li><li>Remember, what Jesus was able to do while He was physically here</li><li>Imagine this power that is IN HIM being transferred to you - INTO you</li><li>Describe how you feel now? Powerful? Deflated? Record your thoughts in your journal</li></ul>

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<p id="viewer-5c11k"><strong>Prayer</strong>:</p>

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<p id="viewer-fp19q">Father, today I realise that the fullness of Jesus dwell in Jesus and by inference dwells in me. I am so grateful that your fullness is IN me. Today, I walk in the conscious awareness of this incredible truth. Thank you Father for making this happen by your grace.</p>

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