You are complete in Christ! “And ye are complete in Him, which is the head of all principality and power.” Colossians 2:10 KJV
God wants us to see ourselves the way that He sees us. If He says we are complete in Him, then we are complete. Even though in our humanity we are flawed and imperfect, God at salvation made us a new creation, and our spirit was born again. We want to please God, and we war against our flesh.
God sees through to the core of our being–that new creation that is us–and He sees us complete, not lacking anything. God allows us to go through trials that test our faith so that we will be perfect and complete, lacking nothing (James 1:4). But He knows that we will get through them.
If an outsider looks at us groaning heavenward in the midst of a fire, they will falsely judge that we are sinning in our agony, just like Job’s friends did. But if you wait until you get to the other side of the trial, you will see that you have been transformed through the furnace of affliction:
- “Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.”) Isaiah 48:10
- “But He knows the way that I take; when He has tried me, I shall come out as gold.” Job 23:10 ESV
“For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace.” John 1:16 NASB We are given God’s fullness at salvation. We have access to everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). “For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.” Ephesians 2:18 KJV
God’s power is also made perfect through weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9), so it’s not as though we have to perform to perfection to be considered complete. God does a mightier work through our weaknesses than through our strengths. God knows we are but dust (Psalm 103:14).
While doing a study for preparing to teach this topic, I came across so many Scriptures of Jesus making people complete or whole while on this earth. Nearly every time that He healed someone physically, the Scriptures say that they were made “whole.” (Matthew 12:13; 15:28; Mark 3:5; Mark 5:28, 34; Luke 6:10; 8:48; John 5:6, 14, 15; John 7:23)
Jesus wants to make us whole. The more areas of our life we yield to Him, the more He completes us. But we are already complete in Christ at salvation! Let’s appropriate this great truth and walk in confidence that He who began a good work in us will be faithful to complete it (Philippians 1:16). Continue yielding to Christ so that you can experience that wholeness!
We have complete salvation, complete forgiveness, and complete victory. (If you have extra time, you can read John MacArthur’s very long, thorough sermon on being Complete in Christ for more information on this topic.) Even though God is in the process of transforming us, that doesn’t mean that we don’t already own what Christ purchased for us on the cross.
Speaking of completion, this post completes our series: 31 Days to Regaining Your Identity in Christ. Besides the art class that inspired this series, there are a couple of other books I recommend for further study in finding out your identity in Christ. (These are affiliate links, and I highly recommend all three):
- You are a Masterpiece art class (the inspiration behind this series)
- You are Free: Be Who You Already Are (a refreshing book, an easy read for a weary soul)
- Who I am in Christ by Neil Anderson (a meaty book with lots of Scripture for each affirmation; he is a deliverance minister with a non-denominational background, which is rare.)
My daughter and I created the artwork for this series from the course {aff} “You are a Masterpiece” by Alicia Gratehouse. If you love to do art and are discovering who you are in Christ, this is a great art course for you!
Tags: Christian Living, complete, Regaining Your Identity, whole
Susan, thank you for this pertinent reminder of my completeness in Him. It is so easy to get carried away with the world in a chaotic search for fulfillment and meaning. Yet, our meaning and purpose is fully complete in Him. Great post. – Amy
We lack nothing if we realize that we have the fullness of Christ in us!
Such a perfect ending to your 31-day series. You have provided so much truth and knowledge this month. Thank you for all the verses and insights! God bless you ability to make scripture understandable and relevant for any reader.
Thank you. I’m glad you enjoyed the series!
It is good reminder for me to know I am complete in Christ. The enemy has a way of trying to convince me otherwise some days. I am so blessed by His faithfulness and love towards me. Thank You for sharing the Good News!
We do not lack anything. The power of the resurrected Christ lives in us!
I so appreciate that you pointed out that we have to yield to Christ to be made whole. It is through and by Him that we have healing and wholeness, not through ourselves or anything in this world.
Exactly!
“If an outsider looks at us groaning heavenward in the midst of a fire, they will falsely judge that we are sinning in our agony, just like Job’s friends did.” That’s a great point! I know some people who are struggling and suffering through the death of their daughter. The hardest part for them is the people who question their struggle and faith.
I can’t understand why we can’t give grace to people who are suffering. I mean, even Jesus wept and travailed with agony in the Garden of Gethsemane. To believe it’s a sin for someone to be in agony is ridiculous. We ought to pray for and encourage those who are suffering.
I love the word complete. Especially from a Christian point of view it brings great comfort and hope knowing the present struggles are temporary. Also, I loved the way you brought out this truth in a simple, yet profound manner, “Even though God is in the process of transforming us, that doesn’t mean that we don’t already own what Christ purchased for us on the cross.”
Complete is a great word! Praise God that our struggles are temporary.