Devotional – Fullness of Christ by Keona J Tann

In John chapter 1 verse 16 we find an astonishing promise that from Christ’s fullness we are fulfilled. Through Jesus’ superabundance of grace and truth we receive grace upon grace; spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing, favour upon favour, and gift heaped upon gift (John 1:16). There is a fullness to be found in Christ, but what does that mean?

Fullness of..

There is a fullness of grace and pardon found in Jesus. When we repent and ask for forgiveness God promises to remember our sins no more, for through Jesus our sins are cast away from us as far as the east is from the west. Shame can no longer shroud our faces because there is NO condemnation for those in Christ. (see Hebrews 8:12, Psalm 103:12 & Romans 8:1)

In Christ Jesus we find full deliverance. Jesus is able to deliver FULLY those who call out to Him for salvation and He continually intercedes on our behalf. (see Hebrews 7:25)
Jesus offers to us fullness of life. Jesus’ death and resurrection gave Him complete victory over death. He came to give us an abundant life and when we believe in Him we receive eternal life. (see Hebrews 2:14, Proverbs 8:35, John 3:16  John 10:10)

“The world is passing away, and with it its lusts [the shameful pursuits and ungodly longings]; but the one who does the will of God and carries out His purposes lives forever.” 1 John 2:17 (AMP)

Fullness of righteousness can be found in Jesus. We are no longer slaves to sin, no more will we be controlled by our sinful nature, for we are now being taught and led by the Holy Spirit, which means we eagerly follow God’s ways. When we offer ourselves entirely to God (all of our abilities, gifts, talents, passions, plans and dreams) we become an instrument of righteousness. By devoting ourselves to studying God’s Word we find instructions of how to live a righteous life, and as we accept God’s correction righteousness develops. (see Romans 6:13, Romans 8 & 2 Timothy 3:16)

Fullness of power and authority. Jesus has been given ALL authority, meaning He has absolute rule in heaven and on earth. Jesus’s name has complete authority and power in heaven and on earth and under the earth! When we believe in Jesus we are seated with Him in heavenly places because we’re reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit. Being a disciple of Jesus means that we have been bestowed with His power and authority so that all we do glorifies, honours and magnifies God. (see Matthew 28:18, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Ephesians 2:6, Philippians 2:9-11 & 1 Peter 4:11)

We can triumph fully with Christ. In the midst of our greatest trials, even facing death, we can be assured that we triumph because God has made us to be more than conquerors, for His love is our glorious victory over everything! (see Romans 8:37 TPT)

Let us give thanks to God for “He has made us his captives and continues to lead us along in Christ’s triumphal procession. Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume.” 2 Corinthians 2:14 (NLT)

Process

In Christ we can find grace and pardon; complete deliverance; fullness of life; fullness of righteousness; fullness of power and authority; and full triumph. The thing I’ve discovered is that there is a process. There is a process we must commit ourselves to that takes us from salvation to sanctification. There is a process to be endured between the promise and fulfilment. It is a hard and difficult process. As I write this it has been 1,274 days since God declared healing over my life, I have seen Him move in so many ways, but the promised physical healing has not completely manifested yet. The process from broken to whole is hard and it has been far longer than I would have liked. BUT as I’ve collated this I’ve been encouraged to keep pressing in, to press in for the fullness that can be found in Christ. I’m reminded that Jesus holds the fulfilment of every promise:

“For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our

“Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory.” 2 Corinthians 1:20 (NLT)

To endure the process we simply need to bury ourselves deeply into Jesus, shift our eyes away from our seemingly overwhelming circumstances, that can distract and discourage us, and fix our eyes upon Jesus – the Author and Perfector of our faith, He is the One who is faithful to complete and perfect the good work started in our lives (see Hebrews 12:2 & Philippians 1:6).

Let’s pray:

I thank You Jesus that I can find grace and pardon; complete deliverance; fullness of life; fullness of righteousness; fullness of power and authority; and full triumph in You. I surrender myself anew today to the process of sanctification, I lay my life down to serve You Lord. As I wait for the fulfilment of Your promises to me I take my eyes off my seemingly overwhelming circumstances, for they easily distract and discourage me, and I fix my eyes upon You Jesus – the Author and Perfector of my faith, the One who is faithful to complete and perfect the good work started in my life. I praise You Jesus for I know You sit at the right hand of the throne of God, bathed in glory and honour; holding all authority and endless power; Your faithfulness and mercy never ceases. Jesus for all you have for me I say: ‘yes’. I pray that my life brings you much delight as I spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere I am, like a sweet perfume. in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

There is a fullness to be found in Christ, but what does that mean for you? I encourage you to unpack the things I’ve listed and discover many more for yourself.
Many blessings,
Keona

Notes

For each verse I studied the Amplified, New Living Translation & The Passion Translation.
41 verse relating to eternal life at Daily Verses.
29 Verses relating to righteousness at Active Christianity.
19 Bibles verses in relation to Jesus’ authority at Knowing Jesus.
If you would like to know more about you authority as a believer Kenneth Copeland has put together 7 facts.
This has been inspired by Charles Spurgeon’s devotion dated January 27 in his book “Morning By Morning” Edited by Harold J. Chadwick. United States of America: Bridge-Logos, 2000.