Definition and Context

Living in the fulfillment refers to the experience and reality of believers who live in the light of the promises and prophecies of God that have been realized through Jesus Christ. This concept is deeply rooted in the understanding that the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus have inaugurated the kingdom of God, fulfilling the Old Testament prophecies and promises. It is a life characterized by the presence of the Holy Spirit, the assurance of salvation, and the anticipation of Christ's return.

Biblical Foundation

The concept of living in the fulfillment is grounded in the New Testament, where the life and ministry of Jesus are seen as the culmination of God's redemptive plan. In Matthew 5:17, Jesus declares, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them." This statement underscores the belief that Jesus is the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets, bringing to completion what was foretold.

The Apostle Paul further elaborates on this in his epistles. In Galatians 4:4-5, he writes, "But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, to redeem those under the Law, that we might receive our adoption as sons." This passage highlights the fulfillment of God's timing and purpose in sending Jesus to redeem humanity.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

Living in the fulfillment is also marked by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, who empowers believers to live according to God's will. In Acts 2:4, the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost signifies the fulfillment of Jesus' promise to send a Helper. The Holy Spirit guides, teaches, and comforts believers, enabling them to live out the reality of the fulfilled promises.

Romans 8:9-11 emphasizes the transformative power of the Spirit: "You, however, are controlled not by the flesh, but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness."

Eschatological Perspective

While believers live in the fulfillment of many promises, there remains an eschatological aspect to this concept. Christians live in the "already but not yet" tension, where the kingdom of God has been inaugurated but awaits its full consummation. This is evident in passages like Hebrews 9:28, which states, "So also Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await Him."

The anticipation of Christ's return motivates believers to live holy and godly lives, as instructed in 2 Peter 3:11-12: "Since everything will be dissolved in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to conduct yourselves in holiness and godliness as you anticipate and hasten the coming of the day of God."

Practical Implications

Living in the fulfillment has practical implications for daily Christian life. It involves a commitment to live according to the teachings of Jesus, as seen in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), and to embody the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). It also calls for active participation in the mission of the Church, sharing the gospel, and serving others in love.

Believers are encouraged to live with a sense of hope and purpose, knowing that their lives are part of God's grand narrative. As Paul writes in Philippians 1:6, "being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will continue to perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." This assurance empowers Christians to persevere in faith, trusting in the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises.