Church Worship as a Journey to Heaven
What does the apostle Paul mean by a life of fullness?
Q988 · Holy Worship and the Full Life
The apostle speaks of the life of fullness often, whether in relation to the Church as a whole, or to each believer as a member of the Church of Christ. He sees the Church that is ascending towards heaven to join the hosts of heavenly orders as a bride bearing the image of her heavenly Groom, who calls her saying, “Behold, you are fair, my love! Behold, you are fair! You have dove’s eyes” (Song 1:15). At the same time, every believer feels that he is the special son or daughter for whom the heavenly Father is preparing a dwelling-place in heaven. “Fullness” in the mind of the apostle Paul means that the believer regains the image of God that was lost and enjoys the righteousness of Christ, so that he becomes a source of admiration for those in heaven and is honored by them. This leads the apostle to fix our gaze on fullness or the enjoyment of the following divine gifts to the believer:
First : The gift of being a child of God.
Second: The awareness of ascending towards perfection through union with the Savior.
Third: The feeling of inner satiety and everlasting joy through experiencing the promise of heaven.
Fourth: The burning of the heart with longing for the salvation of all humanity.
Fifth: The enjoyment of continuous renewal, rising from glory unto glory.
Sixth: The sense of being a stranger on earth — regardless of wealth — so that one sings, “Come, Lord Jesus!” (Rev. 22:20).
Seventh: The feeling that the Holy Bible is a spiritual garden where the fruit of the Spirit can be gathered from its trees: “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Gal. 5:22–23).
Eighth: A heart that never ceases to give thanks and praise God, even when sleeping.