Complimentary Story
Our previous articles from Colossians chapter 2 (appearing in January 2018 and February 2018 editions of Wisconsin Christian News) focused on Paul’s desire that the Colossians remain steadfast in the truth of the Gospel, not being swayed by false teachers, but continually growing in the truth of Jesus Christ. Paul goes on to give three warnings in this chapter: don’t be spoiled (v.8), let no one judge you (v. 16), and let no one beguile you (v.18). We will be looking at these three warnings in this one and the next two articles.
Verse eight begins with a warning: “beware.” It is a call to action, to see to it, to be on guard. The world “spoil” has nothing to do with rotten fruit; instead, armies would spoil their enemies by taking their possessions and resources. Paul is telling his readers to see to it that no one robs them of enjoying their secure salvation in Jesus Christ.
How would someone rob the Colossians? They would do it through man’s wisdom (e.g., philosophy, which is man reasoning for himself what is true without consulting an absolute) and hollow deceptions (vain deceit; man using persuasion to win more converts to something that is baseless). Both philosophy and vain deceit derive from men’s traditions and worldly ceremonialism – things that detract from the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Religion is a very effective form of philosophy and vain deceit. It focuses on what humanity can do for God by taking the focus off what God has already done for humanity by sending His Son, Jesus Christ. Religion places the focus on what we have to offer to God and, sadly, puts Christ in the peripheral. Paul places their focus fully back on the Lord Jesus Christ where it belongs.
How rich and secure are we in Jesus Christ? Verses nine and ten give us the answer by identifying us with Christ. Divinity (“Godhead”) makes its home (“dwells”) in Christ; He embodied God. Jesus Christ was fully God in the flesh. Jesus Christ is the Lord of any authority. Listen to the neat part: AND WE ARE FINISHED IN HIM. In other words, religion and man’s reasoning will tell you that you have to do something to earn or keep your salvation. Paul states that the soul salvation of the person who has trusted in the redemptive work of Christ is finished, done, and complete, because that person is “in Christ.”
Do not let anyone rob you of your full identity with the redemptive work of Christ by telling you that you have to be physically circumcised to be saved (v. 11). Why? Was there a time in history that circumcision was part of God’s plan? Yes, when He was dealing with the nation of Israel (Gen. 17:11), circumcision was a physical symbol that the people were set apart from all the nations of the world as the Lord’s people. Today, when we accept the Lord Jesus Christ, we immediately are set apart from the condemned to be a part of God’s people, the Body of Christ. There is no physical circumcision that is needed for we are “circumcised” spiritually in Christ. We are already sanctified. (See I Cor. 1:2 and 6:11.)
Do not let anyone rob you of your full identity with the redemptive work of Christ by telling you that you have to be physically baptized to be saved (v.12). Why? Once again, we are already spiritually baptized the moment we accepted the Lord Jesus Christ. (See 1 Cor. 12:13 and Romans 6:3-5.) Was there a time when physical baptism was part of salvation? Yes, when God was making Israel a nation of priests (Acts 2:38). Today, the moment we place our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, we are fully identified with His work, our old man is put to death and we are raised with new spiritual life (Romans 6:3-5).
Don’t let anyone rob you of your secure identity with the redemptive work of Christ by telling you that your sin can make you unsaved (v. 13). Why? You were once “dead in trespasses and sins,” but the moment you accepted the Lord Jesus Christ you were given ETERNAL life and forgiven (past tense) of ALL your trespasses. (See Ephesians 1:6-7; 2:1-10.) Was there a time when sins had to constantly be paid for? Yes, under the Mosaic Law the priests stood and offered sacrifices on behalf of themselves and the sins of the people. Now, Jesus Christ has paid for every single one of them. (See Hebrews 10:11-12.)
Don’t let anyone rob you of your secure identity with the redemptive work of Christ by telling you that you need to keep the Mosaic Law to remain saved (v. 14). Why? Christ was the sinless sacrifice for our sins. He completely kept the righteousness of the Law. His sacrificial death provided the eternal way back to God in a way the Mosaic Law never could. Through Christ, we have access unto God eternally. (See Romans 5:1-2; Hebrews 9:10-12.)
Finally, don’t let anyone rob you of your eternal identify with the redemptive work of Christ by telling you that someone or something (i.e., sin, death, Satan) can steal you away from Christ (v.15). The moment you trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior you are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. The Holy Spirit signifies that you belong to the Lord and is our guarantee that we will be with Him one day (Ephesians 1:13-14).
Christ is complete, and if you have trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation, you are “complete in Him.” Nothing more needs to be added to our salvation, nothing more can be added. The word “complete” in verse ten is in the passive tense, which means that God completed you the moment you trusted in Jesus Christ. It is also in the perfect tense, which means that it is done and cannot be undone. You are eternally complete in the Lord Jesus Christ. Don’t let anyone rob you by making you think otherwise. Instead, use it to abound in service for our gracious God and our triumphant Savior.
BEREAN BIBLE INSTITUTE
P. O. Box 587
Slinger, WI 53086
Phone: 262-644-5504
www.bereanbibleinstitute.org
E-mail:bbi@bereanbibleinstitute.org
