September 17, 2004

THE ONE WHO MAKES US COMPLETE

"You are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power" (Colossians 2:10, NKJV).

The restoration of man to his original status of spiritual, mental, and physical perfection is the focus of the gospel. The ultimate purpose of all Jesus has done and is doing is the preparation of a perfect people in a perfect universe.

Complete restoration to God's image is the glorious consummation of our union with Christ. Man is imperfect and incomplete until he is united with Christ. "Without Me," Jesus said, "you can do nothing" (John 15:5, NKJV). Conversely, through Him we "can do all things" (Philippians 4:13, NKJV). Without Christ, we remain forever incomplete, but united with Him, incorporated in Him, we are joined with Him in a living bond. The one with whom we are united and with whom we are filled has made us complete in Him by His death on the cross. In Him, we lack nothing because He is our sufficiency (see 2 Corinthians 9:8). Through this spiritual union, we become complete in Him. By union with Christ, we participate in His life and share in His fullness.

In the One who makes us complete there are no half-saved Christians. Christ's salvation is always complete. It's never less than 100 percent! We are either complete in Him or we are not complete at all. In every stage of our development until the final restoration we are complete in Him who has made us complete by His complete sacrifice. "The human agent is complete in Christ. Learning in the school of Christ, daily studying his life, we become one with him, and reflect the virtues of his character."--Review and Herald, October 14, 1902.

My Prayer Today: Lord, thank You for making me complete through Your completeness. Amen.