The Fullness of Christ

This week I really liked the following questions from Paul for Everyone. The Prison Letters by N. T. Wright based upon the passage Ephesians 3: 1-13:

The question this passage poses for us, then, is twofold. Are we learning to explore the riches of Christ? Or are we content to stay in the outer hallways of the great palace? Have we imagined that the inner rooms are too boring to claim our attention?

And are our churches, in the sort of life they lead, posing the kind of challenge to the power of evil which provokes a reaction? (pp. 37-38)

It seems that the passages in Ephesians are not going to allow me stay at arm’s length for this study! The more I saturate myself with God’s word the more my writings are personal reflections rather than a more sterile or abstract rumination! I don’t mind though because I believe such a study as I’m doing should change a person for the better. I would hope that after spending 12 weeks in God’s word I would come out on the other end a better person (and improve a little each week!).

The two questions above continued to push on me as I returned to re-read the commentary a few times this week. Am I learning to explore the riches of Christ? I do believe I continue to LEARN to explore with each day of my life. I certainly have NOT arrived. I catch myself worrying and have to stop and pray in order to give that weakness to Jesus. I catch myself doubting my self-worth or dealing with low self-esteem and I have to combat that part of me with prayer. I have experienced the riches of Christ repeatedly yet how quickly I forgot to be thankful for things. So, I think I’m falling short of truly exploring the riches of Christ. Right now I’m praying daily for something and I often remind myself to have more faith, to trust God to provide. I like that N. T. Wright worded the question with a LEARNING to explore instead of “Are you exploring the riches of Christ?” I am thankful that I am able to learn more about Christ’s riches each day! I am truly blessed.

The second question is: are our churches, posing the kind of challenge to the power of evil which provokes a reaction like Paul’s imprisonment? I do believe the Church, basing its work on the commandment of LOVE is doing God’s work. I believe that there are different work tasks to be done for different locations and different callings by God so it is critical the Church keep LEARNING how to fully explore the riches of Christ both individually and corporately. The members of the church must be seeking Christ as individuals and as a group they must come together as God’s people and seek the fullness of Christ.