A Full Life

3 John 1-4 The elder, to my dear friend Gaius, whom I love in the truth. 2 Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. 3 It gave me great joy to have some brothers come and tell about your faithfulness to the truth and how you continue to walk in the truth. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
 
JOHN’s third letter is to Gaius. You and I can learn much from Gaius, who seemed to live a full Christian life.
    A full life is one of Jesus’ promises for his followers. We learn of this blessing in John 10:10b I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. To have a full life is to be complete, occupied and even bursting to the maximum. Jesus promises you a maximum life, bursting with his love. His life occupies your heart, mind and soul. Full of Christ, a soul is, John’s words, getting along well.
    Jesus demonstrated his full life in physical and spiritual transformation. There are, for example, full fishing nets (John 21), full food bowls (John 6) and, of course, the full work of his mission on earth completed at the cross. (John 19)
    Jesus fills us spiritually. Jesus is full of grace (John 1). He is a full cup of living water to quench a dry soul (John 4). Jesus is the full truth to salvation (John 10). He shows us the full extent of his love to wash feet as a slave (John 13). Jesus is full of peace (John 14). The Bible is full of God’s love.
    What, then, does it look like to have a full life in Jesus? Learn from John’s friend Gaius. Gaius is in the truth. Gaius enjoys good health. Gaius’ soul is getting along well. He is apparently at peace in faith. Gaius is faithful to the truth. Gaius continues to walk in the truth. Gaius is walking in the truth. God’s truth fills Gaius’ life.  His life brings great, complete joy to his friend, elder and pastor John.
    What is a full life? It is Jesus-centered and Spirit-empowered. A full life is complete with spiritual and physical wellness. We reject temptations, so we can keep our minds, bodies and soul well in faith.  
    A full life is knowing deep in your soul all is well because you are heaven bound. It is complete joy in Jesus: John 15:10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” This scripture is worth repeating, memorizing and living.  
    Jesus empowers you to a full, complete life. Jesus filled John and his fellow disciples. Jesus occupied their lives. Overflowing with Jesus’ power, they poured Jesus into the world to fill lost and empty souls. John filled his disciples such as Gaius. Gaius then continued pouring Jesus into a world of empty souls.
    A full life overflows with Jesus and pours into others.
 
Life Thought: Be full; fill others with Jesus.