You call us to fullness of life
You call us to fullness of life
We’re called to fullness of life, but what is it, what is the “fullness” we are all promised in the words of Jesus (John 10:10)?
It’s a gift of God. It’s the love of God revealed in Christ (John 3.16). It’s the call of Christ to be his disciples (John 1.35ff).
Fullness of life enables us to live as one of the flock of the good shepherd, Jesus Christ (John 10:10). Contrary to the popular way of thinking, fullness of life isn’t the increasing accumulation of rights, freedoms, joys, resources, and opportunities, although it’s true that it may lead to some of these. Fullness of life isn’t an add-on operation.
Fullness of life is rather an invitation to faith in the midst of, and in spite of, death and limitation. It is a confession of our sins, but it’s mainly the confession of our faith, which leads us to believe in the One, “who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead; on the third day he rose again…” (from the Apostles Creed).
Fullness of life is in Christ and through Christ and “from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace” (John 1.16). It’s Christ’s coming to us that allows us to work towards a better life for everyone. With his fullness we’re empowered to give breath to the exhausted. With his fullness we’re able to be in communion with each other. With his fullness we’re given the spirit of celebrating life, despite all threats and forms of death.
With Christ’s fullness we can look for new ways of working together, both locally and globally, while accepting our differences in a spirit of faith, love and, honesty. Our unity is found in Christ Jesus, who is our peace and has broken down the dividing wall, and the hostility, between us.
With Christ’s fullness our anxieties can be banished. And we can revel in the liberating love that is Jesus Christ our Lord.
Gracious God,
you call us to fullness of life:
deliver us from unbelief
and banish our anxieties
with the liberating love of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.Additional Collect for The Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity
is Copyright © The Archbishops Council
I really like the your words- “With Christ’s fullness we can look for new ways of working together, both locally and globally, while accepting our differences in a spirit of faith, love and, honesty. Our unity is found in Christ Jesus, who is our peace and has broken down the dividing wall, and the hostility, between us.”
Says it all for me. While I am different in my theology to many others and my life of faith my scare some christians, I am open to sit with anyone and to talk and share.
Fullness from the Messiah is flowing in my life and He allows me to encourage others as well as have a great life with my beautiful wife. Super friends all around the world and also the best job in the world. That’s what I call fullness! And I thank God for it all, it is His gift.
Thank you Steve.
You say, “I am open to sit with anyone and to talk and share.” If only more would, but too many are closed off to anything that is slightly different from them. I pray that more will learn to be open with others, and learn to talk and share, as you do.