So often Christians talk about being ‘full’ of God. What does it mean?
“…to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:19
For years I wondered what exactly it meant to be full of God; and how does it happen? I was already seeking God as much as I knew how at the time, and even came across a wonderful book called “Discover the Keys to Staying Full of God” by Andrew Wommack. I read that book three times and even though I understood what he shared, I still had no idea how to get it to work.
I had read the above scripture in Ephesians many times. In this chapter, the Apostle Paul is telling the Ephesians, and us, that he is praying to the Father to grant us to be strengthened with His might through His Spirit, that Christ dwells in us by faith, and that we may be able to know the love of Christ that passes knowledge and be filled with all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:14-19).
I thought I had done everything a Christian should be doing. I go to church, I try to love people the way I think God wants me to, I try to forgive, and I read my bible to learn how to please God. But none of that was giving me what I saw in those verses. So I just continued down this road, trying to please God, please people and somehow get this fullness to show up.
Sometime later, I took a course in which the pastor taught on ‘abiding’ in God. It’s a long story, but this teaching took me from religious activities (trying to DO everything to get) to relationship with almighty God. Abiding in God is all about knowing Him-not just knowing about Him. It’s giving God first place in everything and seeking Him in His word, in prayer and fellowship. All those religious activities took on a different meaning-when I saw this and it became real to me. My desire to spend time with God grew and grew and so did my ability to experience His fullness.
What is it like to be ‘full of God?’ It’s like saturation of a photograph.
In photography, the term ‘saturation’ describes the depth or intensity of color present within an image. The more saturated an image is the more colorful and vibrant it will appear. Less color saturation will make an image appear subdued or muted.1
Just like a saturated photograph, we can be saturated with God. How much of God (His Word, His presence) is filling up your soul? The more the word is functioning in your mind, will, and emotions, the more saturated with God’s presence you will be and the more colorful and vibrant your life will become. The less saturated your soul is, the more subdued or muted it will be and your life will reflect that.
Just as the saturation levels of an image can be altered by using filters to reduce the amount of certain wavelengths of light reaching a photographic recording medium,2 the more you filter everything through God’s word, the more saturated your heart will become.
You may desire intimacy and want to experience the fullness of God. It’s about giving quality and quantity time to this relationship; and choosing to view everything you to see through the lens of God’s Word; your identity, purpose, your health, your relationships, etc. through spiritual eyes, not the natural.
This is not a casual relationship with the Word. Nor is it a religious duty filled by checking off the boxes.
Is your time with God a religious exercise or personal and intimate time with your Father?
Recommended reading: “Discover the Keys to Staying Full of God” by Andrew Wommack
Footnotes: