Complete in Christ
August 23, 2024 | 6:50 pm
Christian cross in the sky. Original public domain image from Wikimedia Commons When Jesus was dying on Calvary, He cried out with a loud voice, ‘It is finished!’ (John 19:30). The Hebrew word derivative is ‘Tetelestai’ which means, paid in full! This meant that the plan of salvation was complete, nothing was lacking in it. He had paid the price for anything we will ever need. As I reminisced on these words, the Lord whispered to me, “You are Complete in me.”
I have authored a book: Undignified Praise (make sure that you grab a copy). One of the hardest part of writing a book is finishing it because it never feels right no matter how many times you edit it. For Jesus to have proclaimed that it was finished, it meant that He and His Father were satisfied with the outcome of His mission on earth (2 Corinthians 5:21). He had done all that needed to be done to ransom humankind from sin. Tetelestai!
When we get born again, we receive three things, life in Christ according to Ephesians 2:4-5. A new nature in Christ that hates sin according to 2 Corinthians 5:21 and thirdly, the seal of the Holy Spirit who ratifies our righteous acts here on earth according to Ephesians 1:13. All these are spiritual blessings that make us complete in Him.
Seeing as spiritual things are spiritually discerned (1 Corinthians 2:14-16), our soul and body cannot understand this. The soul contains the mind, emotions and will which continue to follow the old nature because it has been taught to act that way. The soul needs transformation by the Word of God which makes us complete and thoroughly equipped in Him (2 Timothy 3:17, NKJV). The body then undergoes change of character.
Colossians 2:9-10 (NKJV)
For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.
When we have Jesus, we don’t need to search for more of Him. We have the Father, Son and Holy Ghost and all the powers of Heaven with us. As I meditated on these words, I begun to understand that in Christ I have all of God and His power in me. I have access to every heavenly and earthly resource to bring heaven here on earth.
In Christ, we have all the instruments of warfare, fellow believers at our disposal and the crowd of witnesses cheering us on to fight the good fight, keep the faith and finish the race. We are never alone. In fact, we have chariots of fire, myriads of angels and the Lord Himself fighting on our behalf to see the purposes of God accomplished. The Lord is the glory within us and a wall of fire around us (Zechariah 2:5). We are complete in Christ.
We have the Holy Spirit who empowers us to do our Father’s bidding. He is the guide, the peace- giver, the sanctifier, the comforter, the helper, the giver of graces and convicts the world of guilt with regards to sin, righteousness and judgement (John 16:7-14). He accompanies us and confirms God’s word through signs, miracles and wonders (Mark 16:20). He completes the work Christ started in us.
We have the peace that guards our hearts and minds (Philippians 4:7). We have the joy of the Lord as our strength during the stormy winds of life (Nehemiah 8:10). We have the love of God that never fails (1 Corinthians 13:8) and a faith that overcomes the world (1 John 5:4-5).
Life here on earth can be challenging with its desires of the flesh and of the eyes and the pride of (1 John 2:16). Christ never promised that we would be immune from the world but that we would be protected from the evil one and be sanctified in the truth- His word (John 17:16-17). His complete work on Calvary gives us all that we need to conquer and complete what He started.
Every privilege is always accompanied by a responsibility. What is our responsibility now that Christ made us complete in Him? Firstly, we must discover our heavenly mandate here on earth. Why did God create you? Do you know? Are you living up to it? What is keeping you from getting there? I urge us to arise and begin to be intentional about our purpose on earth. I refuse to die before I have done all that God wants me to do here on earth. How about you?
Secondly, progressively strive towards accomplishing your mission. Here at HSDPM, we desire to make Jesus known. We know that God has called us to the nations where we will spread the Gospel. We are praying towards accomplishing this purpose every Wednesday and Friday morning at 5:00 a.m. We are pressing on towards the mark of the high calling (Philippians 3: 14). Begin by writing it down and then run with it with the help of the Holy Spirit.
Thirdly, make investments towards your calling. Begin to pray and fast towards it. Study the word of God which is able to make you wise (2 Timothy 3:15) and to show yourself approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed (2 Timothy 2:15). Walk with those who have gone ahead of you and learn. Stir up the gift of God in you intentionally.
Lastly, James 1:3-4 reminds us to persevere with joy as we face various trials because our perseverance will make us mature and complete lacking in nothing. We live on earth understanding that we are in a battle ground. We keep our eyes on Jesus and keep fighting the good fight of faith. We are more than conquerors through Christ who strengthens us (Romans 8: 37).
According to the dictionary, to be complete means to have all parts or elements; lacking nothing; being whole or entire or full. In Christ, we are made complete and whole in body, soul and spirit. Jesus came for the whole person. He is the beginning and the end. The author and finisher of our story. We are complete in Him!
Shalom
Pastor Anne