Fullness or Fraction – The Basics

B. By Grace through Faith.

1. How are lost people saved?  The Apostle Paul answers that people are saved by grace through faith in Christ.  (Ephesians 2:8-9)  
2. How do saved people live for God?  Paul answers, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.  The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)  
3. If either of Paul’s answers is a mystery to you, then studying Fullness or Fraction is for you.

C. Building Blocks.

Biochemists call amino acids “the building blocks of life.”   Ten biblical concepts are the building blocks of daily life in Christ.

1. Fullness.  Jesus Christ provides us fullness.  What does it mean to live in that fullness?  (John 1:16; Col. 2:6-10; Eph. 3:14-21; and Eph. 4:11-13.)
2. Now.  Eternal life is not only our future life in heaven, but also our walking with God as His child in the present.  (John 1:12; John 6:47; and 2 Peter 1:1-9).
3. Model.  Jesus did not speak and act on His own initiative.  He followed the Father’s directions.  As Jesus did, so do we.  (John 5:19-20; 12:49-50; and 20:21.)
4. Relationship.  The believers’ intimacy with God is expressed in phrases like “child of God,” “Christ in us,” “us in Christ,” etc. (John 14:20, 23; Gal. 2:20; Col. 1:29.) 
5. Fruitfulness.  As God worked miracles through Jesus, so the Lord grants His children power to mature and to bear fruit. (John 15:5; Phil. 2:12-13; and John 14:12-14.)
6. Community.  The Christian walk is not a solo hike, but a journey in union with Christ’s followers near and far.  (Mat. 11:28-30; John 15:9-17; John 17; and Eph. 2-5.)
7. Holy Spirit.  He grants power, gifts, and fruit to purify us and accomplish God’s mission.  (Acts 1:8; Rom. 12:3-8; 1 Cor. 12-14; and Gal. 5:16-26.)
8. Team Trinity.  The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit work as a team to save us from sin and to equip us for godly living.  (John 14:12-26; Rom. 6-8; and Eph. 1:3-23.)
9. Pushback.  Spiritual warfare and persecution will arise against those who live in Christ, but God will protect us.  (John 15:18-25; Acts 4:1-31; and Eph. 6:10-20.)
10. Conversation.  Life with God is a two-way dialog with Him (aka prayer) – anytime and anywhere.  (John 10:3-4; Ps. 32:8; Ps. 139:23-24; John 16:12-15; and 1 Thess. 5:16-22.)

D. Fullness or Fraction Questions.

The Bible teaches each of these ten concepts in a variety of ways. When you find a text that speaks about a building block of life in Christ, pause and ponder these questions.

1. Experience. To what degree have I experienced what this text describes or promises?
2. Limitations.
   • What limitations does God place on what He offers in this text?
   • What limitations have I placed on this text?
   • What limits have congregations, denominations, or theologians placed on this text?
3. Fraction. Will I tell God, “I have all I need”?
4. Fullness. Will I tell God, “I need, desire, and seek all You have to give me”?
5. Application. “Lord, how do You want me to I apply this text to my present situation?”

E. Practice.

Try asking the Fullness or Fraction questions with any of the Bible texts mentioned above in the list of building blocks.  Jot down what you learn about God’s role and your role as you seek to live to the max in Christ.  Ask God how to put into practice what He is teaching you

F. Dialogue.

As you internalize the ten building blocks and put them into practice, converse with others about how God equips people for abundant life in Christ. To share in the conversation:

• Download your own free copy of the 97-page book Fullness or Fraction in the Gospel of John. Select the ebook version you prefer.
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