Spiritual Fullness in Christ

Paul warns the Colossians to beware of false teachers and not to go near them if they valued their spiritual freedom. We are reminded here by Paul that spiritual fullness is found only in Christ, who is fully God. God went to tremendous lengths to secure this blessing of fullness for us. He sent his Son Jesus to earth in human form to die a brutal death on the cross. Jesus’ death paid for our release from the stranglehold of sin and death, and it enables our entry into a new life of spiritual blessing and strength. God provided this costly redemption, not so that we would be content with a mediocre Christian walk or satisfied with a stifled spirituality, but so that we would enjoy a profoundly close and vital union with him for eternity—starting now.

“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” Colossians 2:6-7: The object here is to persuade them and us, not to get off course from the views they had of Christ when He was made known to them. As a tree grows its roots deep in the soil, so our faith should grow deep into our hearts, developing a resounding desire and praise for relationship with Him. In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus taught that, “The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear [the word of God], but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop” (Luke 8:14-15). We must allow the Holy Spirit to cultivate the soil of our hearts and so enable God’s word to flourish, be fruitful, and multiply in and through us. Fruitfulness and love are signs of Christ’s fullness within us.

“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.” Colossians 2:8: When a person comes to know Jesus as their savior, their spirit is joined in union with the Holy Spirit. Something also happens in the soul that causes a change; the eyes of our understanding are opened to a great extent when we are saved. Our mind, which is part of the soul, changes to a degree, but we still are plagued by much of our mind that is still finding pleasures in the flesh. That is why we are instructed not to be conformed to this world but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. (Romans 12:2) We need to allow the Holy Spirit to renew our minds if we are to keep free of deception and worldly influences.

“For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.” Colossians 2:9-10:  As man, Jesus was not merely God-like, but in the fullest sense, He is God. These words declare that the perfect Godhead is in Christ. He has all of the attributes of God; His unchangeable power, strength, character, etc., are all in Jesus. Father, Son, Holy Ghost, and Word are all in Jesus. In Christ we have been brought into fullness. Through the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit, we were given a new birth, a new beginning, and a new nature (John 3:1-16).

Spiritual fullness in Christ is possible because of who He is and what He has done. First, we are complete and made perfect in Jesus because He is all the fullness of God. When we accepted the invitation of grace, He made His presence known in our hearts and minds. He now lives in us and through us. Second, our standing and position in Christ is guaranteed. His work on the cross is finished. We have been reconciled and redeemed (Ephesians 1:7-8). All the requirements of the law have been met through His atoning sacrifice (Romans 3:25; 1 John 2:2). He came not to abolish the law but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17), removing the barrier of sin between God and humanity (2 Corinthians 5:14-21). We have been justified, made pure and righteous at the moment of salvation (Romans 3:24-28; 5:1), therefore we are now, new creations in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). He is our advocate, mediator and assurance and so through His never ending love for us, we’ve been sanctified, set apart and made holy unto God by the Spirit to grow out of sin and more fully into Christ (2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1Peter 1:2).

“In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.” Colossians 2:11-12: A foreshadow or pictures of things to come, external circumcision was performed by hands of man. God, the Divine Physician and Healer, cuts away the “flesh” and sinful desires from our spiritual heart. Through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we have died to sin and risen in Christ (Romans 6:4-14).  

“When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.” Colossians 2:13-14: Because of a sinful nature, we were spiritually dead, deprived of the life of grace, and separated from the life of glory. The law was against us, condemned us and opposed us. He disarmed the law, with its legalistic rules and regulations. On the cross, He became the ransom for many, canceling the debt of sin in full (Mark 10:45; 1 Timothy 2:6; Hebrews 9:15.)

“And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” Colossians 2:15: Christ, as an absolute conqueror, publicly displayed His power over Satan, and over all the powers of darkness, defeated the enemy in view of heaven and earth.  

Like a tree needs healthy soil, water and sunlight to be firmly rooted and to flourish, we continue to be built-up in the fullness of God when we immerse ourselves in his love, in his ways, in his Spirit, and in his Word. Our Christian walk should be a journey towards spiritual maturity that allows us to experience more and more of Christ’s fullness. We should always be seeking Him, listening to the Holy Spirits guidance, and growing in knowledge of Him.