Recently, on my family WhatsApp group, the conversation became focused on what would be on the menu for the highlight of the year: Christmas lunch.
Now, I am sure that all of us have distinct Christmas traditions. For some, it’s a big Christmas Eve dinner. For some, a good old fashioned Christmas braai. But, whatever the tradition, I am sure it involves food. I think we can all agree that, after our said meals, most of us will have full tummies.
With this, I believe the Holy-Spirit reminded me of a fullness that all of us have in Christ, and can attain. Whether we have full bellies or not.
John 1: 16 tells us, “Out of His fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given.” (NIV)
Theologians offer two views on what this verse means. One view is that grace now, in Jesus, comes through innumerable waves – like the waves of the sea bringing grace in place of grace.
The other is that God has supplied grace through giving the law to Israel via Moses. And now brings a new grace on top of the grace of the law, which has its fulfilment in Jesus.
I believe that both views have their merits. But, in particular, I felt led by the Holy Spirit that both views give us a window into the fullness we have now in Jesus, by grace through faith, as God’s children.
Paul in 1 Corinthians 6:17 states, “But whoever is united with the Lord is one with Him in Spirit.” (NIV)
Beloved, the implications of this are vast.
Because the eternal Son of God, the second person in the trinity, fully God and fully man was born as a baby in Bethlehem, and lived the perfect life in our place, and died the death we should have died and rose again, we who have faith in Him have been united to Himself.
This means that we are one with Him in Spirit. Isn’t that wonderful?
Further evidence of this is Saul’s persecution of the Church recorded in Acts 9: 5 where Jesus tells Saul, who would become Paul, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” (NIV).
Now, we know that Paul was not physically persecuting Jesus, but His followers. But to Jesus, those who followed Him were a part of Him. There is no distinction to Jesus. For us who are in Christ today, it is the same.
That means that, despite the external draw of this season, despite what we might feel we need or what we might feel we lack, despite how we might feel, this Christmas season we can know beyond a shadow of a doubt that those who are in Christ are united with Him in Spirit.
This means we have what we need. We have the loving affection of the King of all the universe, despite what the world might tell us we lack or need.
So, I encourage you this Christmas season, let us not go after things we think we need to be fulfilled. The word of God tells us is the material, external things, are passing away.
Let us remember that in Christ we are full, because we are united with Him in spirit.
Beloved of Jesus, this means that if you are battling through a difficult Christmas season perhaps due to death, illness or close family who are not close by, be encouraged that we are still full in Him, and can turn to Him to lift us up from our miry pit when we need Him.
This Christmas may we remember that Jesus emptied Himself and took on the form of a servant (Phil. 2: 7) in order that through His sacrifice we might be made full in Him.
I leave you with the words of Hebrews 4: 15-16, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to feel sympathy for our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-yet He did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (NIV)
And may that fill our hearts with joy, wonder and above all, hope. Because in life to death we are united with Jesus. Turn to His throne of grace today.
I love you with the love of Jesus.
Have a blessed Christmas!
Andrew☺️