The Fullness Of Christ
By Rich Carmicheal
“For in [Christ] dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him…” (Col. 2:9-10).
This passage took on new depth of meaning for me recently when I learned that the word “complete” is translated from the same root word as “fullness” and, therefore, carries the idea that we are “made full” in Christ. In other words, out of Christ’s “fullness” – the fullness of the Godhead! – we are “made full” in Him or “complete in Him.” As the Apostle John puts it, “…of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace” (John 1:16).
What makes this such an incredible truth is the scope of the fullness of Christ! What could we possibly lack considering who Christ is and what He makes available? No wonder Scripture says that God will supply all our need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:19) and that through Christ’s divine power we have all things we need for life and godliness! (2 Pet. 1:3). Just think for a moment about the fullness of Christ:
Our Glorious Lord Jesus Christ
“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist” (Col. 1:15-17).
He is the radiance of God’s glory, the express image of His person (Heb. 1:3). He is in the very form of God (Phil. 2:6) and God’s fullness dwells in Him (Col. 1:19). He is God (John 1:1) and is over all (Rom. 9:5). He upholds all things by the word of His power (Heb. 1:3). He is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and Last (Rev. 22:13).
He is the Christ, the Son of the living God (Matt. 16:16). He is one with the Father (John 10:30) and makes the Father known (17:26). He is seated at the right hand of the Father (Col. 3:1). He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and the only way to the Father (John 14:6).
He is The Word of God (Rev. 19:13) and His words are spirit and life (John 6:63). He is the mystery of God in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Col. 2:2-3). He is the Foundation (1 Cor. 3:11), the Living Stone (1 Pet. 2:4) and the precious Cornerstone (2:6).
He is the Bread of Life (John 6:35) and He gives food that endures to eternal life (6:27). He is the spiritual Rock (1 Cor. 10:4) and He gives living water that satisfies (John 4:14). He baptizes with the Holy Spirit and fire (Matt. 3:11).
He is the True Vine (John 15:1) and the source of abundant life (10:10), abundant joy (15:11) and supernatural peace (14:27). He is the source of hope (1 Thes. 1:3), the source of strength (Phil. 4:13), the source of comfort (2 Thes. 2:16-17), the source of rest (Matt. 11:29), the source of perseverance (2 Thes. 3:5), the source of righteousness (Phil. 1:11) and the source of sanctification (1 Cor. 1:2).
He is full of grace and truth (John 1:14), and full of compassion (Matt. 9:36) and longsuffering (1 Tim. 1:16). His love is wide, long, deep, high and surpasses knowledge (Eph. 3:18-19). Nothing can separate us from His love (Rom. 8:35). He is Faithful and True (Rev. 19:11).
His name is Jesus because He saves His people from their sins (Matt. 1:21). His name is above every other name (Phil. 2:9) and salvation is found in no other (Acts 4:12). He is the Savior of the world (John 4:42) and is able to save to the uttermost (Heb. 7:25).
He is the Lamb of God (John 1:29) whose blood is precious (1 Pet. 1:19) and the source of redemption and forgiveness (Col. 1:14). He is the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep (John 10:14-15). He is the Shepherd and Overseer of our souls (1 Pet. 2:25). He is the Mediator between God and men (1 Tim. 2:5) and our Advocate with the Father (1 John 2:1).
He is the Son of David (Matt. 15:22) and the Son of Man (16:27). He is a merciful and faithful High Priest who is able to help those who are tempted (Heb. 2:17-18). He humbled Himself and became a man like us (Phil. 2:7-8) and He sympathizes with our weaknesses (Heb. 4:15). “He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses” (Matt. 8:17). He heals (4:23), sets us free (John 8:36), delivers (Gal. 1:4), and does mighty works (Matt. 13:54). He always lives to make intercession for us (Heb. 7:25).
He has overcome the world (John 16:33) and He is the source of our victory (Rom. 8:37). He is the Author and Finisher of our faith (Heb. 12:2) and is able to keep us strong to the end (1 Cor. 1:8).
He was crucified and buried, and then God raised Him from the dead (1 Cor. 15:3-4). He is the Resurrection and the Life (John 11:25), the firstborn from the dead (Rev. 1:5). He is alive forevermore and has the keys of Hades and of Death (1:18). He ascended “far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things”! (Eph. 4:10).
He is the Bridegroom (Matt. 9:15) and wants us to be with Him that we may behold His glory (John 17:24). He is our blessed hope (Titus 2:13) and He is coming again for those who eagerly wait for Him (Heb. 9:28). He will return in His Father’s glory with His angels (Matt. 16:27).
He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords (Rev. 19:16), the Ruler over the kings of the earth (1:5). He has power to subdue all things to Himself and to transform our lowly bodies so they will be like His glorious body (Phil. 3:21). He has authority over nature (Matt. 8:27) and authority to forgive sin (9:2). He has all authority in heaven and on earth (28:18) and everything is in His hands (John 3:35). He is the Head of every man (1 Cor. 11:3), the Head of the church (Eph. 5:23) and the Head over all principality and power (Col. 2:10). He disarmed the principalities and powers (2:15), destroyed the works of the devil (1 John 3:8), abolished death and brought life and immortality to light (2 Tim. 1:10). He is the Lord of the dead and the living (Rom. 14:9). He is the power of God and wisdom of God (1 Cor. 1:24) and in everything He has preeminence (Col. 1:18).
Trust Him Completely
What a Savior! There is no limit to His glory, no limit to His power, no limit to His love and no limit to His resources! He is all-sufficient and everything we need is in Him! His fullness is the source of fullness for our lives!
Vital to all of this, of course, is that we look to Him and trust Him for all we need – life, love, power, holiness, and on and on. As someone has said, “Live the Christ life the same way you began it – by trusting Christ.”
____________________
Mutual Encouragement
The Herald staff is very grateful for the opportunity to encourage you in your walk with Christ. We are also grateful for the encouragement we receive from readers such as you. We hope to hear from you soon!
Herald of His Coming
P.O. Box 279
Seelyville IN 47878 U.S.A.
Email:
