Fullness of Christ as the day breaks trough

Growing into the Fullness of Christ

The Christian journey, for many, often feels like a relentless striving towards an elusive ideal. We hear calls to spiritual maturity, to be "more like Jesus," and sometimes, these calls can subtly morph into a burdensome checklist of performance. WWJD. Yet, tucked away in the New Testament in clear sight, is a profound declaration of our destiny, particularly in Ephesians 4:13 (NKJV): "Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ."

From a grace perspective, this isn't a command to labour tirelessly to achieve something we lack. Instead, it's a glorious invitation to manifest the divine reality that is already complete within us through the finished work of Jesus Christ. This verse, when seen through the lens of God's lavish grace and its surrounding context, reveals spiritual growth not as a demanding climb, but as a beautiful, effortless unfolding of Christ's life within the united Body of Christ.

Teacher - YAH-rah and bridling - Revisited

Unbridled horses are just strong, elegant, and beautiful animals that serve no purpose except to satisfy their own needs. Yet, once bridled, they can fulfill a multitude of useful purposes with all their inherent power and might.

It’s the same with us. If we are not taught (by the Holy Spirit), we are without understanding, like a horse or a mule running wild and without purpose.

The question is: How do we bridle ourselves?

Paranoia or Metanoia? Living with a Transformed Mind in the Finished Work of Christ

 

“Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind…” — Romans 12:2 KJV

Many believers live in a quiet state of paranoia—always second-guessing their standing with God, questioning whether they've done enough, or if their faith is strong enough. This mindset reflects an underlying fear, one that religion often feeds but Grace destroys.

God never intended us to live beside the mind (the literal meaning of paranoia) but to live from a transformed mind—the mind of Christ, rooted in the truth of His finished work. That transformation is called metanoia—a complete change of thinking.

What is Metanoia?

Two Minds, One King

Two Minds, One King: Overcoming Double-Mindedness in the Fullness of Grace

Have you ever found yourself in a state of internal tug-of-war? One moment, you're confidently declaring God's promises and appropriating your inherited dominion in Christ, the next, a whisper of doubt or fear creeps in. One day, you're walking in victory, the next, old habits or worries resurface. This isn't just common; it’s what the Bible calls double-mindedness. In the world of Psychology, this inner turmoil is known as cognitive dissonance.

Cognitive dissonance is the mental distress or psychological angst someone feels when battling contradictory beliefs, ideas, or values.

When Jesus marvelled

The Bible records two distinct occasions when Jesus marvelled (θαυμάζω, thaumazō, meaning to wonder, to be amazed, to be astonished). These two instances stand in stark contrast, revealing what truly caught the attention of the Son of God.

To understand our own positions, it may be a good idea to take note of this.

The Baptism Controversy

Baptism: A Journey, A Controversy Resolved

Within the vast tapestry of Christian faith, few practices evoke as much discussion and varied interpretation as baptism. From the earliest days of the so-called church to our modern era, believers have grappled with its meaning, its mode, and its proper recipients. At its heart, however, all forms of Christian baptism should point to a foundational truth: the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. This post aims to explore the origins and practices of both infant and adult baptism, comparing them through the lens of biblical covenants and, most importantly, the finished work of Christ, while investigating the diverse theological understandings that underpinned religious doctrine and tradition.

Before we go into all of this, I thought it well to provide some wider perspective from an anthropological point of view.

You must be kidding

I love how Jesus just cuts to the point.

At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"

And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them (Matthew 18:1-2).

Just that?

Food out of the Eater, Sweetness out of the Devourer

The Riddle: "Out of the eater came forth food, and out of the strong came forth sweetness." (Judges 14:14)

This riddle, given by Samson, isn't just a clever puzzle; like many ancient parables and prophetic utterances (e.g., in Proverbs 1:6 or Psalm 78:2), it carries a deeper, veiled truth. From a New Covenant, grace perspective, it becomes a powerful metaphor for the triumph of Christ and the lavish blessings that flow from His completed victory.

Sometimes it is difficult to see the forest for the trees … or the trees for the forest being bogged down in minutiae and losing sight of what's truly important or how everything fits together. On the other hand our over-generalization may cause us to lose touch with the practical realities because we get too absorbed in our doctrines, our theology and church traditions (Mark 7:13).

Say and send away

The Royal Mandate: Exercising Inherited Dominion Through Christ's Finished Work

Kingdom dominion!

What?!

Do we even have dominion?

Yesterday, I was reading Matthew 28 (the very last verses of the last chapter of Matthew) where Jesus commissions us to go out and do the unthinkable. I re-read a note there that I scribbled way back: "Jesus has all the power (authority) and He gave us delegated authority and jurisdiction to overcome our obstacles in this world."

But that is not true!

What is the will of God?

The Echo of His Voice: Discovering the Will of God Through Christ's Finished Work

Recently, I tuned into an online podcast teaching about "How to know the will of God." A great question indeed! But to my surprise, the podcast teacher, despite being part of a grace-focused ministry (which I highly recommend, and whose founder I consider a mentor), seemed to miss the truly Greater Answer. It was a whisper to my spirit, a revelation that brought exceeding peace and comfort, even as the teacher continued his lengthy explanation.

Should I explain? Let's dive in.