You Are God's Fullness!

Col 2:9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. 11 In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your sinful nature was put off when you were circumcised by Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. (Today's New International Version. 1089. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, © 2001, 2005. )

The church at Colossae in Asia Minor (modern day Turkey) was a faithful early Christian church. From the evidence we have from the New Testament it would appear that they desired to be zealous in their observance of religious festivals and holy days and strictly observe the law in order to present themselves as holy people before God.

So why would Paul in his letter - Colossians - choose to challenge them to step up their spirituality and leave behind their festivals and holy days in favor of - something, let's say - a little less "concrete?"

It's exciting to be around new believers! They possess an enthusiasm that ignites even the hearts of the most stultified life-long Christians! Their insight into the workings of the Holy Spirit as they see their own lives transformed by a simple, willing, acceptance of Christ provides a window into our own daily renewal of our faith.

Could it be that the faithful church at Colossae was missing out on something really exciting by translating their faith into set religious observances and patterns? Remember, Paul didn't say this was in and of itself a bad thing. He just wanted them to experience more in their walk with Christ.

In order to pull this church back into an "original" experience of their faith, Paul re-teaches them about who Jesus - as the "Son of God" - actually is. He is the "image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For in him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rules or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him." (Colossians 1:15-17)

In other words, don't get caught up in all the things you consider to be religious as a way of growing closer to God. Re-establish Jesus in his rightful place as the Lord of all Creation!

That's a little scary for many of us because we like to have simple patterns and habits that we can look forward to and that will structure our days. But Paul's challenges us to re-enter our experience of Jesus's salvation and remember what it was like to once be completely lost but now to be completely in the grip of God's grace. At one time we were "completely alienated from God" in our minds "because of [our] evil behavior." But now... but now... we are reconciled through Jesus's sacrifice. Do you remember when you first became a Christian?

"For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile himself to all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross." (1:20)

God was pleased to be completely revealed in Jesus. All of God's love, character, mercy, forgiveness, teaching could be known through Jesus the Christ! To me, that's amazing.

But here's the kicker. Just as Jesus is God fully revealed to all of creation - we who are Jesus's disciples "have been brought to fullness." This struck me hard when I read it. It was easy to place all of God's attributes in the person of Jesus. But to see myself as somehow a continuation of that fullness - as I was "brought" to fullness was a challenge. In the way are all my feelings of unworthiness and inadequacy. In the way are all my past sins, my hurtful words, my willfull rebellion against God. And yet, even in this imperfect body, God sees can look past all of that and bring me to a fullness of his presence through which I let others know of God's grace and love.

You are God's fullness! You don't need anything but Jesus Christ to be completely shaped as a reflection of God. And in being the fullness of God - you have a task to perform. Let others know of what God is doing in this world as He reconciles all creation, all people back to Him through his mercy and love. Isn't that an awesome "to do" list? Isn't that something worth living for? Isn't that a wonderful reason to get up this morning and face the day's work and relationships? God has purposed for you to reveal Himself to the world around you. And what better "job description" or "life purpose" could their be?

What we have to offer as Jesus's disciples is not a reflection of "religion" but an amazing relationship with God's very son - Jesus. Are you seeking that relationship in your daily life?