All the Fulness of God dwells in ME??
February 26th, 2010 by Angela
In recent months, I have been examining more closely what it really means to be a follower of Jesus. Many people profess to be “Christians,” yet their words and deeds seem so far from Jesus’ example for us. When we do not truly reflect the image of Christ to others, we become stumbling blocks for other believers and for those who have not yet chosen to believe in Him and His coming Kingdom to the earth. 2 Corinthians 5:20 says, “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were entreating through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” I yearn to be an ambassador for Christ, effective in persuading people to get right with God (repent, believe in the Gospel of the Kingdom, and be baptized, then choose to live an obedient life to God)! Yet, it begs the question, how can I represent Jesus in a better light? How can I see more of God’s Spirit dwelling in me? How can I have an increase in love for others?
I think part of the answer to those questions lies in Ephesians 3:19, “to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fulness of God.” I strongly believe that we, as believers in Christ Jesus, have a difficult time grasping the reality of ‘the fulness of God” dwelling inside of us, mortal men and women, made of dust! The idea of it seems too lofty and incomprehensible. Yet, Jesus speaks of this concept, also in John 15:4, “Abide in me and I in you.” Jesus is telling us here that he, too, will dwell in us. YHWH and Jesus, both wish to dwell inside of us. Can our finite minds grasp this Scriptural and supernatural truth?
The Greek word for ‘fulness’ is pleroma, which means completion, what fills or what is filled; which is put in to fill up, piece that filled up, fulfilling, full, fulness. This same word is used of God dwelling in Jesus in Colossians 1:19, “For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fulness (pleroma) to dwell in him,” and Colossians 2:9-10 “For in him (Jesus) all the fulness (pleroma) of Deity dwells in bodily form and in him, you have been made full (pleroo – which pleroma is derived from) and he is the head over all rule and authority.”
When Trinitarians use these Scriptures to prove that Jesus was merely a ‘second person of God dwelling in the flesh’ it distorts and diminishes the amazing truth of what God was able to do through an obedient man, and what is available to us, as adopted sons and daughters of God. When we can understand that God dwelled in Jesus, and God also dwells in us, we can begin to grasp how it is possible for us to be conformed to Christ’s image and live a new life as a new creature or new being, with a new heart, filled up with love for others, that was not possible before we became Christ’s. We begin to somewhat understand the power and fruit of what is available to us, when God and Jesus reside in us through God’s Spirit, and we in them.
How does God dwell in us? Through His Spirit. How did God dwell in Jesus? Through His Spirit. The Spirit of God can be defined as “the mind and energy behind the works and word of God,” or synonymous with the power, mind, presence and word of God. It’s this anointing of God’s Spirit that was given to various kings, judges and prophets of God of the Old Testament times, and the same Spirit that was given to us believers, on the Day of Pentecost. When we begin to walk and live by allowing God’s Spirit to guide and counsel us, we are filled up with more understanding, wisdom, and love. 2 Corinthians 6:16 teaches us that “we are the temple of the living God” and in I Corinthians 3:16, “Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” I Corinthians 6:19 explains it even further: “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which you have from God and that you are not your own?”
God’s Spirit (or Holy Spirit) is our proof that we are abiding in God and He in us (I John 4:13). We will have the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) and his love for others; and we have access to His Spirit, if we “confess that Jesus is the Son of God” (I John 4:15) and keep his commandments (John 15:10; I John 3:24).
When we are of one mind, one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord Messiah, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all, we are united. (Ephesians 4:4-6). We are one with one another and one with God and His Son, the Lord Messiah Jesus. Just as Jesus prayed to God, recorded in John 17:11, “that they may be one, even as we are,” and “that they may all be one; even as Thou Father, art in me, and I in Thee, that they also be in us” (v.21) “that they be one, just as we are one,” (v. 22) “I in them, and Thou in Me, that they may be perfected in unity.” (v. 23). When Trinitarians change this to mean that Jesus and the Father and God’s Spirit are one essence, rather than the beautiful truth of us being one with him and our Heavenly Father through the indwelling of God’s Spirit, we miss what Jesus had intended for us to enjoy: pleroma! ~ all the power of the fulness of God dwelling inside each believer.
The spiritual walk of a follower of Jesus Christ is a journey with multiple levels of maturity and growth that takes time. It takes time to increase in your knowledge and understanding of God and His plan; time to develop a relationship of faith and trust in our living God; and time to be transformed by the renewing of your mind with the inspired word of God, that will bring you into the same mind and word as your Heavenly Father, and His Son, Jesus. As your old bad habits and old ways of thinking and behaving move out, it provides room for God’s Spirit and His way to move in. It’s a submission thing, to give up your control, your fleshly desires to trusting God’s Spirit to take control of your mind and actions. It’s a supernatural thing, but it’s also a conscious decision on our part, that we want this. We want to be that Holy Temple in which God and Jesus will want to abide in us and that comes from believing, listening and obeying the words and commands of our God. Pleroma! All the fulness of God dwelled in Jesus; All the fulness of God dwells in me; and all the fulness of God can dwell in you, too! Incredible!
While I agree that the Spirit is oft overlooked, I am concerned with the extent to which you elevate us and diminish Christ. Did you have the Spirit descend on you like a dove? Were you born of Spirit with no earthly father? Have you never sinned? Will you think of Christ as your good example so as to go on the offensive with today’s Pharisees, even to the point of death? Was Isaiah 61 written about you, even Moses and the Prophets?
I am dismayed at how many “Christians” do not walk in the Spirit. It is sad that some ignore Him, but I think many more are not truly saved. They show up to check another “good deed” off their score card. That is truly sad and they need our prayers and evangelism. They do not need to be puffed up thinking they are equal to Christ.
Justin, I think the point of the article was Angela was endeavoring to elevate Christ & the spirit of Christ over us and our flesh. Perhaps you misunderstood her thoughts.
We will overcome the world when we follow the leading of the spirit and not our own ways.
When we abide in Christ we are most humble. Absent from him we think far too much of ourselves and bring on our own deception. By abiding in him we begin to transform into his image, the image of God that God intended for us. By his design he begins to shape us
into the image of his Son through the power of the holy spirit. There’s no limit to what God can do because of his great love for us. Outside of him there is no life, no peace, nor hope. Therefore he sent Jesus, to come and find us, for we were lost in all that God is not.
Thank you for your comments. It’s an interesting subject, is it not? I find it fascinating and a topic not talked about much. Why don’t we hear this discussed and taught?
I think that most Christians underestimate the incredible power of the Holy Spirit dwelling inside of us. By our careful diligence to make sure we exalt our Lord Messiah, sometimes we undervalue what is available to us that Jesus taught us in Scripture, that is available THROUGH him and because of him! Is it not true that we can do nothing without Jesus, and without his ascension to the right hand of God in the heavens, we would not have this amazing access to the Spirit?
I think it is goes without saying that we are not on par with Jesus, as the uniquely begotten Son of God, who had a unique anointing of the Spirit. Let me quote Greg Deuble, p. 264 of “They Never Told Me THIS in Church”: “The Spirit is said to be given in different amounts or quantities. Jesus received it “without measure” (John 3:34) but individual believers receive a “supply” or “provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ” (Phil. 1:19).” I think we would agree that Jesus got a rather large dose from God!! Let me also point out that Elisha prayed for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit in 2 Kings 2:9.
I don’t think we should bring Jesus down to our level, nor exalt ourselves up to his. However, I am a human operating under the influence of the Spirit of God. That puts unbelievers at a disadvantage, and there should be an obvious difference between the life, attitude, and behavior of a believer v. an unbeliever. Typically, there is little. We receive from God little, because we expect and ask so little of Him. We need to know the extent of what is available to us (pleroma!) and ask for a greater measure of His Spirit to dwell inside of us!
I am going to pray for all the supply of God’s Spirit that He will grant me! Bring it on! I don’t think it diminishes Jesus’ role as Lord Messiah. I think it just makes me more knowledgeable of what is my right as a follower of Christ Jesus and a daughter of the one Adonai YHWH. To know that the fulness of God dwells in ME brings me to my knees in awe of the Most High God and a fresh perspective of what Jesus did for me to grant me (and you) this gift of the anointing of the Spirit. It makes me worshipful of my God and His only begotten Son.
The more we can begin to grasp the understanding of what Jesus did for us, and what is available to us through him, both now and in the age to come, the deeper and greater the exaltation. Not the other way around.
I like it when God begins to fill me with joy. It seems to begin when I worship him. When I do what he says he starts to fill me with the knowledge of righteousness. Sometimes he begins to download me with things I didn’t know. Bringing back to me things I forgot, I begin to get refilled.
Opening his word, finding something good and thanking him for it, he fills my soul with good. I like to compare Jesus with God. I don’t think it’s robbery.
Paul said that he once did many things contrary to the name of Jesus. (Acts 26:9) In the same verse he said that at the time he was thinking with himself. I think that’s what he once talked about
“being without God and without hope” in this world.
It’s good when God fills us with hope. It’s good to thank him whenever I find something good. God fills me with thanksgiving.
God keeps filling me with goodness. It’s good to sit and let God fill us. Jesus said that if we ask God for something good he will give it.
Each man has to prove Jesus to get to know him.
Ray
One of my favorite sayings of Jesus is, Seek and ye shall find, knock and the door will be opened, ask and it shall be given…
Angela,
I truly enjoyed your article. Yes, you and I have had our differences regarding the approach you have to Christmas celebrations, but that’s besides the point right now. You wrote a wonderful article.
It reminds me of something a certain man said when he spoke about our approach to people who are emotionally broken. His presentation was specifically dealing with sexual brokenness among believers and non-believers. After presenting a very non-judgmental talk, he asked: “Seeing that so many people are in desperate need of redemption, who of us will be “Jesus” to them?” I still get goosebumps from this moving remark.
Truly, we have the incomprehensible honor to represent our King. As ambassadors of Christ, we have the privilege to be “Jesus” to those who need him.
Regards,
Jaco
Jesus was “God” for us. The least we can do for him is to be “Jesus” for others, as much as lieth within us.
OH you sophist!
To those who believe, whatever they believe,any reasoning will do.
Give the other guy a break, unless you’re are perfect.
We all believe in the same thing, it’s called self interest.
All men believe reasoning and God are on their side.
So what ultimately decides?
-force
The dominant countries always had the biggest armies
Greece,Rome,The Ottomans,The Brits, Spain,Russia,
US…
Get off the moralistic high horses, go help someone.
Teach a kid to read, lose your superstitions and make sure that big rock you roll up the hill everyday (life) doesn’t squash more than you as it rolls back (and it will) down.
Live too long and your bad health will kill you.
Think too much and you’ll go mad.
Let’s be honest, no sect is as evil to one another as the Christians. THE CRUSADES
But we say we learned from the Jews. Peter, Paul, dudes were you Jews? Nearly always they’ve been beaten and slaves. Has the ever been a greater contadiction?
Are you the hammer or the anvil? Will you be lucky enough to escape those alternatives?
Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us, Angela, may HASHEM bless you with more understanding of His words, and grant you the ability to use them in your daily life for the glory of JEHOVAH, YWH, ADONAI, ALMIGHTY GOD.
This topic, “THE FULLNESS OF GOD DWELLING IN ME”, is too unthinkable, and beyond human understanding that it is obvious that we do not know how to grasp it.
Unless, led by The HOLY SPIRIT, no one knows the practical aspect of it. It is more than just a feeling; and most of the time, it manifests
through its effects on the people that surround you.
Rarely, one is conscious of the transforming effects of the HOLY SPIRIT in one’s own life.
Though we have confessed our sins many times, and decided to follow JESUS CHRIST’s footsteps, our old is too resistant and the more we try to live holy, the more temptations we run into. Also, satan does everything to bring us down.
How often do I long for a pure and clean heart ? a constant holy thinking and idea ? I seldom have an entire day free of sins..
What happened instead are shameful ideas, phantasizing on beautiful women, cursing instead of loving my enemies, coveting my neighbor’s belongings.
And then, when I realized that JESUS CHRIST is dwelling in me, I became ashamed, red. I hate myself for allowing such dirts to cross my mind.
I want to control my thoughts, my actions and reactions; I want to do good, and put everything under the will of GOD. But, I can’t.
I sin, then, I repent, then, I sin again, and I repent again.. It is all pain. Who will free me from this life of pain ?
JESUS CHRIST is the answer.
If then you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on the things above, not on the things on earth, for you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, Who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory -Apostle Paul
My little children, I am writing these things to you that you may not sin; and if anyone sins, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; Who is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but for those of the whole world. By this we know that we have come to know Him; if we keep His commandments. The one who says, “I have come to know Him” and does not keep His commandments is a liar and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him; the one who says he abides in Him, ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked…This is the confidence we have before Him; in that everything we ask, we receive from Him because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight…By this we know that we love the children of God; when we love God and observe His commandments. For this is the love of God; that we keep His commandments and His commandments are not burdensome. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world — our faith. -Apostle John