All I Need

And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace.
—John 1:16

The Amplified Bible’s translation of John 1:16 reads, “For out of His fullness (abundance) we have all received [all had a share and we were all supplied with] one grace after another and spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing and even favor upon favor and gift [heaped] upon gift.”

John was speaking to believers in this verse, emphasizing that all believers have received the fullness of Jesus Christ. This is an extraordinary statement. Jesus possessed the full essence of the Godhead (Colossians 2:9), and to those who invite Jesus into their lives, we too have the fullness of God within us. We are complete in Jesus (Colossians 2:10). The rest of the Christian journey is not about receiving more from God, but rather about renewing our minds to what we have already received through Christ. 

Our spirits are not the issue. As born-again Christians, we each received a new spirit at salvation (2 Corinthians 5:17), which is identical to Jesus (1 John 4:17), because it is the Spirit of Jesus (Romans 8:9, Galatians 4:6). Our born-again spirits are always eager to fulfill God’s will. The challenge that arises is our flesh. Jesus addressed this in Matthew 26:41, when he said, “The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.” Our born-again spirit is willing, but our soul and physical body, which constitute our flesh, are weak. 

The word “soul” originates from the Greek word “psuche,” which encompasses the mind, heart, and life. The Scriptures emphasize the soul’s need for knowledge, as evidenced in Proverbs 2:10, 19:2, and 24:14. Psalm 139:14 reveals that the soul possesses knowledge. It also demonstrates the ability to consider and counsel, as expressed in Psalm 13:2, to remember, as found in Lamentations 3:20, to choose, as evidenced in Job 7:15, to refuse, as seen in Job 6:7, to seek, as stated in Chronicles 22:19, to love, as expressed in 1 Samuel 18:1, Psalm 42:1, and Song of Solomon 1:7, to hate, as shown in 2 Samuel 5:8 and Psalm 107:18, to experience joy, as found in Psalm 86:4 and Isaiah 61:10, to grieve, as revealed in Judges 10:16, and to desire, as expressed in Deuteronomy 14:26 and 1 Samuel 20:4.

These Scriptures demonstrate that the mind is the primary component of the soul, followed by the will and emotions. The soul can also be referred to as the hidden facet of who we are or what some call our personality. It is the center of our feelings, emotions, appetites, and desires, as well as our sense of discernment and consciousness (1 Samuel 30:6, 2 Samuel 13:39, 2 Kings 4:27, Psalm 107:5, 9,18, 26, Matthew 26:38, Mark 12:33, John 12:27, Hebrews 4:12, 10:38).

Our flesh may be an issue, but "out of His fullness (abundance) we have all received [all had a share and we were all supplied with] one grace after another and spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing and even favor upon favor and gift [heaped] upon gift.”

God has abundantly provided us with everything we need to walk in victory. However, as the Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 4:7, “We have this treasure in earthen vessels.” Our born-again spirits, where God has bestowed all the fullness of His Godhead (Colossians 2:9-10), are confined within the boundaries of our flesh. The question is not about the completeness of the new life we have received in Christ; it is perfect. But we have a problem: it is out flesh. How determined are we to be transformed in our minds, hearts, and bodies? How surrendered are we to be changed from the inside out by the life of Christ within us?

As much as we strive to renew our minds (Romans 12:2) and act on the Word of God (James 2:20), we can experience His divine power manifesting in our physical lives. Just as muscles require exercise to enhance strength, our souls and physical bodies must also be exercised toward godliness (1 Timothy 4:7-8).

Our spirits are willing, but our flesh is weak. However, God’s power within me surpasses my flesh! My soul and body have the capacity to be shaped and transformed by the renewal of my mind, enabling me to discern and follow God’s good, acceptable, and perfect will (Romans 12:2). 

I have been crucified with Christ so that this treasure within my born-again spirit might be manifested in my life. Why would I ever refuse to know grace after grace, blessing upon blessing, and favor upon favor?  God has given me all I need. It is up to me to possess it by faith. I determine my outcome.

“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit” (Romans 8:5).