Experience God: You Are Complete in Him

And you are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, 

in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ. Colossians 2:10,11

We behold God in Christ. Looking unto Jesus we see that it is the glory of our God to give.

I do nothing of Myself, the living Father hath sent Me, and I live by the Father; John 8:28; 6:57

I seek not Mine own glory; but the glory of Him that sent Me. John 8:50; 7:18

In these words is set forth the great principle which is the law of life for the universe. 

All things Christ received from God the Father, but He took to give.

Coming to think of it, in His ministry for all created beings in the heavenly courts through the beloved Son, the Father's life flows out to all.

Furthermore, through the Son it returns, in praise and joyous service, and a tide of love to the great Source of all.

Thus through Christ the circuit of beneficence is complete, representing the character of the great Giver.

The law of life of the universe

In heaven this law was broken. Sin originated in self-seeking. Lucifer, the covering cherub, desired to be first in heaven. 

He sought to gain control of heavenly beings, to draw them away from their Creator, and to win their homage to himself.

Therefore he misrepresented God, attributing to Him the desire for self-exaltation.

 With his own evil characteristics he sought to invest the loving Creator.

Thus he deceived angels and humans. He led them to doubt the word of God, and to distrust His goodness. 

Thus with the followers of Christ.

We can receive of heaven's light only as we are willing to be emptied of self. 

We cannot discern the character of God, or accept Christ by faith, unless we consent to bring every thought to the obedience of Christ.

To all who do this the Holy Spirit is given without measure.

In Christ dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, and in Him ye are made full. Colossians 2:9, 10

Therefore, He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life. John 3:36

To those who with steadfast perseverance strive to reveal the attributes of Christ, angels are commissioned to give enlarged views of His: 

• character and work

• power, grace and love.

Thus they become partakers of His nature, and day by day grow up to the full stature of men and women in Christ.

Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: 

that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 2 Peter 1:4.

A Truth Hard to Grasp

By beholding the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world one finds the peace and redemption of Christ and accepts the Word of God - You are complete in Him. Colossians 2:10.

In looking to ourselves for righteousness, by which to find acceptance with God, we look to the wrong place, for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23. 

We are to look to Jesus.

We all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, 

are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 3:18. 

For those who believe in Christ, He prayed:

Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy word is truth...that they all may be one; 

as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in Us, 

that the world may believe that Thou hast sent me. John 17:17-21

The sanctification of the Spirit is seen in thought, word, and deed. 

Their ministry is life and salvation to all with whom they associate.

You are complete in Him as you model Christ

All who engage in the acquisition of knowledge of God should aim to reach the highest round of progress and advance as fast and far as they can.

The living witness for Christ, following on to know the Lord, shall know that one's goings forth are prepared as the morning.

Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; 

but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. Colossians 6:7, 8

Every soul may be complete in Christ, who is the perfect pattern of a complete man and woman by:

• honesty and industry, with a proper care of the body

• applying every power of the mind to acquire knowledge and wisdom in spiritual things

It is our privilege to learn from Christ

He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. 1 John 2:6

Though our minds are given to us, we make our characters. 

They are the result of the lives we live, the thoughts and principles that we cherish. The words of inspiration warn us - Take heed how ye build.

Make sure that the foundation is the Rock Christ Jesus.

Thus the structure will grow into symmetrical proportions, and you will be a fair and holy temple for God. We don't ask - are they Christians? - when we see persons who are:

• firm in principle

• faithful in the performance of duty

• zealous in the cause of God

• humble, gentle, and patient toward all

• ready to forgive

• manifesting love for souls for whom Christ died

They give unmistakable evidence that they are learners in the school of Christ. Now if any man has not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. Romans 8:9

The aid of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit enabled the disciples to exalt the Lord. 

Today the same Spirit is constantly seeking to draw the attention of all to the great sacrifice made upon the cross of Calvary, unfolding to the world the love of God.

The Spirit causes the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness to shine into darkened minds and brings understanding of eternal truths.

It is the Spirit that presents before the mind the great standard of righteousness, convinces of sin, and inspires faith in Him who alone can save from sin. 

In addition, the Holy Spirit recreates, refines, and sanctifies human beings.

Thus fitting them to become members of the royal family, children of the heavenly King.

Except a man be born again - the Savior has said, he cannot see the kingdom of God. John 3:3.

The religion that comes from God is the only religion that can lead to God. In order to serve Him aright, we must be born of the Divine Spirit. This will lead to:

• watchfulness

• give us willing obedience to all His requirements

• purifying the heart and renewing the mind

• give us a new capacity for knowing and loving God

This is true worship.

Christ dwells in the heart by faith

That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Ephesians 3:17-19

Christ had spoken an eternal truth regarding the relation between Himself and His followers. He knew the character of those who claimed to be His disciples. 

Moreover, His Word tested their faith.

He declared that they were to believe and act upon His teaching. All who received Him would partake of His nature, and be conformed to His character.

This involved the renunciation of their cherished ambitions. It required the complete surrender of themselves to Jesus.

By looking constantly to Jesus with the eye of faith, we shall be strengthened. God will make the most precious revelations to His hungering and thirsting people.

They will find that Christ is a personal Savior. As they feed upon His word, they find that it is spirit and life. 

The word destroys the natural, earthly nature and imparts a new life in Christ Jesus.

If this is your experience, you will certainly represent to the world the fact that you are complete in Him.

Conclusion

God has promised that His grace shall be sufficient for everyone who will come to Him. 

Those who surrender to Jesus, who open the door of the heart and invite Him in will be in safekeeping.

I am the way, the truth, and the life. John 14:6.

Possessing Jesus, they will possess truth. They will be complete in Him.

Those who exercise true faith in Christ make it manifest by holiness of character, by obedience to the law of God. 

They realize that the truth as it is in Jesus reaches heaven, and compasses eternity.

They understand that the Christian's character should represent the character of Christ, and be full of grace and truth.

To them is imparted the oil of grace, which sustains a never-failing light. The Holy Spirit in the heart of the believers makes them complete in Christ.

References:

1. FW 108; HP 66; BE; GW 286; ST, Jul. 1887; DA 21, 181 - The Ellen G. White Estate

2. The Bible, King James Version (KJV)

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