Fullness!

Fullness!

John 3:34 GNBUK

[34] The one whom God has sent speaks God's words, because God gives him the fullness of his Spirit.

We continue in the spirit of the season of Christmas, where we consider the impact and dimensions of the greatest gift that was given to us. What also makes this gift important and interesting is that it was given at a time when my opinion was not sought or needed. God did not need my approval to give the gift He gave, and He definitely did not need my permission to dispense the grace and mercy I have now become quite accustomed to. As it has been laid out in previous devotions, God did what He did so that future generations would have a viable alternative to eternal death and separation from God, which are the consequences of sin. No one can argue his way out of that end, and nothing I do can change the consequences as have been laid out by God. The only way, also as laid out by God, is to accept the gift that has been given, and as we read the verse above, we see where another person is testifying to the person, power, personality and purpose of the Gift that God has given.  

Honestly, what would the excuse be if I reject this gift? He has not asked me to bring any price, or pay toward the cost of the gift. He has not asked for monetary compensation, or asked me to give anything that I cannot give. After all, the life He demands is His in the first place, and what He desires is willing and total surrender to His authority. He will not force Himself on anyone, or go against the exercise of my freewill, but be sure that He will accept the willing offering with joy, and do an awesome and amazing in the lives of all who come to Him willingly. The man who pronounced the words of the verse above was John the Baptist, usually referred to as the forerunner of Jesus. He was born a few months before Jesus and his ministry was set before Jesus was made manifest to the world in the public declaration of John here, as well as at the baptism of Jesus when the heavens opened and God Himself also made a public affirmation of the sonship of Jesus. 

We have been left with no doubt as to the origin of Jesus, as well as His ministry and purpose in our lives. He is sent by God, and we are standing today because Jesus submitted to the will of the Father, as painful and inconvenient as it was. He knew that not everyone will submit their hearts to Him, but He did it all the same. He also knew that many will come and put their trust in Him, and that was enough for Him. He speaks God's mind to us, revealing God's perfect will, and also supplying the grace we need to align with His perfect will. He has the fullness of the Spirit of God with no limits or measure, and He is able to give out of that same measure to as many as would ask Him. That is the promise of the Holy Spirit to all who come and submit their hearts to Him of their own freewill. Please note the last verse of the chapter from where the verse above is taken: "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." The options are that simple, and the end is that definite. I do not have forever to make up my mind. God waits for me; how do I respond? God's time of favour is here.