To Fulfill the Word of God

There are many Scriptures that are necessary for spiritual growth. The ones most necessary for a particular Christian depends on where he is already. It would be most difficult, for example, for an immature Christian to assimilate the diet of a mature Christian who feeds on the mysteries of the Word. I am going to speak of four passages of Scripture for the one seeking greater truths. These four can open a door of understanding to a higher life in God. At the same time, they are not too difficult for the young who are seeking more of God. At any rate, I think you will see why they are necessary for growth beyond where you are now.

Colossians 1:25-26 I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfill the Word of God;
26 Even the mystery which has been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to His saints.

Paul begins by saying that he was made a minister in order for us to "fulfill the Word of God." There are many stages of growth that we will pass through as we continue to walk with God. I can't imagine why anyone after having their sins forgiven would want to remain there and not continue on to grow spiritually. An immature Christian has fulfilled very little of the Word of God. As we continue in our spiritual growth we are fulfilling more and more of the Word of God.

Verse 26 gives us a key that opens the door to new heavens in the Word of God. The mystery of the Word has been hid from ages and generations, but now it is being uncovered for those who are becoming saints. Ages and generations are on a timeline in history. The mystery of the Word is the diet for mature saints, and it is hidden from the timeline of history. In other words, if you are giving the Scriptures a historical interpretation only, you will miss the truths in the Word that are designed for your maturity. This is very important. We must go beyond a historical understanding of the Word. Thus Paul said, "The letter kills, but the spirit of the Word gives life" (II Corinthians 3:6). We want to hear the words of Jesus in the Scriptures, for His words are spirit and life (John 6:63).

Colossians 1:27-28 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.

The next great mystery is "Christ in you is the hope of glory." At each stage of your spiritual growth a little more of Christ comes forth in you. Not understanding these mysteries will impede your growth.

Christ in you is the hope of glory; Christ ministering through you is the glory. You do not come into the fullness of Christ at once! The Word of God is not fulfilled in you at once!

Now take another look at this. Christ in you is the hope of glory! Not Christ in the past, not Christ in the Gospels, and not Christ in the future. He must be a living force in your life in the present. Take Him out of the past and experience Him now! Take Him out of the future and experience Him now! Religion puts Him up in the heavens somewhere; truth puts Him in you and that is the hope of glory!

II Thessalonians 1:10 When He shall come to be glorified in His saints, and to be admired in all them that believe...

The word "shall" makes this verse sound only futuristic. The verb "come" in the Greek is erchomai, which is always a present tense or an imperfect. Therefore, the verse more accurately would read "when He comes or is coming." It is not that Christ will come one day, for He is always coming. At each stage of your spiritual growth, He came to you in some degree. You cannot grow spiritually without a little more of His life coming forth in you. Step by step, stage by stage, Christ is coming forth in us to be glorified and to be admired.

In the first stage of this message we saw how important it was to take the covering off of the letter of the Word so we could find the mystery of Christ in it. In the second stage we saw that it must be Christ in us, not in the future. Next, we are seeing that He wants to be glorified in us. He wants the Word fulfilled in us (Colossians 1:25). Now, we will look at one more stage.

Revelation 6:1-2 And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see.
2 And I saw, and behold a white horse; and He that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given to Him: and He went forth conquering, and to conquer.

This is a wonderful word picture revealing Christ coming forth in us and what He plans to do in us. First, John sees a white horse. White represents holiness and the horse speaks of war; it is a war horse. The bow is speaking of the Word (Habakkuk 3:9), that two-edged sword that divides between soul and spirit (Hebrews 4:12). So, metaphorically Christ is riding His war horse into our lives to wage war on the enemies of our flesh nature.

Joshua led the armies of Israel into the land of Canaan to destroy the demonic nations that were God's enemies. Likewise, the Lord is riding His white horse into our lives to destroy His enemies within us. He is coming forth conquering and to conquer. His enemies within us are the works of the flesh listed in Galatians 5:19-21. They are the demonic nations that must be driven out of our land. This is the end-time battle of the ages; it takes place within us!

In this way the Word of God is fulfilled in us!