I have always loved the teaching I read in Randy Alcorn’s book, Heaven. Writing on the topic of rewards in Heaven based on our lives on earth, Randy says that….
Everyone’s cup will be full in Heaven. But some peoples’ cups will be much larger than others’ (paraphrasing).The great theologian, Jonathan Edwards, also shared this viewpoint. This teaching has always stuck with me and has helped me in understanding a little bit more about what to expect on the other side of this life.
Recently, however, I had another revelation as I reflected upon that quote from Randy. I believe that same principle applies here on earth! Here is what I mean… I believe there are two aspects of being “Filled with His Spirit”in this life. One deals with how full our cup is. The other deals with our capacity for fullness or how big our cup is. You might also say that one aspect deals with percentage of capacity; whereas, the other deals with potential for capacity. Perhaps you’re wondering… capacity for what exactly? I’m talking about the capacity for God Himself to indwell within us.
TYPES OF CHRISTIANS
Some Christians may have the capacity of one of those mini-cans of Coke they sell at the grocery store these days. Whereas others may have the capacity of a 2 liter jug. And within those categories you may find that the person who has a 2 liter capacity may or may not have their 2 liter jug full on any given day. On the flip side, you may find that the one with the mini-can capacity is full and maybe even overflowing. And both of these containers are either growing or shrinking at all times based on the individual’s pursuit of God, and their ability to resist entanglements with the affairs of this world.
WHY DOES THIS MATTER?
It would only make sense that our percentage of CAPACITY for God is directly related to our ability to walk in the Fruit of the Spirit on a daily basis. That’s why it’s called the Fruit of the Spirit. How much peace can we walk in? How much joy can we walk in? How much contentment can we walk in? More Spirit means more Fruit! If we want to experience the fullness of God Himself in this life and produce as much of the Fruit of the Spirit as possible, we must fill ourselves to our individual capacity daily, while continually endeavoring – according to His Spirit – to increase our potential for greater overall capacity!
HOW DO WE INCREASE OUR CAPACITY?
Just as believers will be rewarded with larger cups in heaven based on their works and lives on earth, we are rewarded with capacity here on earth. A reward would be meaningless if it was not earned. If it didn’t take work. If it didn’t take time. If it didn’t take sacrifice. Increasing our capacity for God is accomplished by the consistent pursuit of God. It is accomplished through prayer. It is accomplished through fasting. It is accomplished through resisting temptation– when we decide not to entangle ourselves in the affairs of this world. Capacity is increased when we choose to live lives of simplicity. Capacity is increased when we give sacrificially. Capacity is increased when we refuse to fill our minds and hearts with the empty promises of this world, nor to be indoctrinated by them. When we die to this world and pursue Him, we are rewarded with the greatest gift He could ever give us, and the one thing we are truly craving in the depth of our soul…more of Himself!
HOW DO WE WALK IN FULLNESS?
Unlike increasing our capacity, which takes time, FULLNESS is always offered today! We never have to wait for it. He always gives us the ability to be filled with Himself immediately. We don’t have to do anything. We don’t have to wait until tomorrow. We may simply come to Him now. Our Dad is always eager and ready to fill our cups today! We simply acknowledge and embrace the truths of who we are in Him, and the new life in which we now walk. Through faith we embrace that we are forgiven. Through faith we embrace that we are created in His very image. Through faith we embrace that He has removed our sins as far as the East is from the West and restored the relationship we lost in that Garden. These truths that were brought to us through His blood are what allow us to enter into His very presence today! And as we come into His presence…our cup – regardless of capacity – is completely filled!
IN CONCLUSION
Let us all be encouraged by the fact that we can be filled to 100 percent fullness with God today… right now! While at the same time, we pray that He works within us to desire those spiritual disciplines that will continue to increase our potential for capacity. And through His Spirit, may we be energized and empowered to walk in those disciplines and increase our capacity for God within us.
