I am Complete in Christ

Colossians 2:9–10 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled (made complete) in Him, who is the head of all rule and authority.

Several years after the Colossian church (to whom this inspired letter was written) was founded, there were false teachers trying to bring their heretical doctrines into the church.  There were elements of:

a) Gnosticism (that Jesus was merely one of a series of beings who emanated from the true God – each being less holy).

b) Judaism (that one must keep all Jewish laws and rites in order to be saved).

c) Asceticism (spirituality was gained by severe denial of any bodily comfort)

d) Angel worship

Hense, in Colossians 2:9, Paul first says of Jesus, that the WHOLE fullness of deity dwelled in His human body. Yes, the trinity will always be a mystery, but make no mistake; the Father and the Holy Spirit dwelled in Jesus – who was indeed God in the flesh – not some lesser being.

Then Paul says that we have been filled in Christ. The Greek word speaks of being made full, complete, whole, lacking nothing. He is not speaking of OUR deity by any means, but saying that in Christ we have a FULL salvation.  As Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

In other words, when we come to genuine faith in Jesus, we, like the Colossian believers, receive forgiveness of our sins, the gift of perfect righteousness (see Romans 5:17), reconciliation to God, adoption as God’s children, the indwelling Holy Spirit, eternal life, etc. There is nothing more that we need to do, in order to be saved. Nothing more we need in order to earn God’s favor. We are complete in Him!

Will this completeness affect the way we live our lives? Absolutely!! God continually works in us both to will and act according to His pleasure (see Philippians 2:13). Complete salvation in Jesus Christ however, comes by grace through faith in Him.