And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
Believers are made full and lacking nothing in Christ, because all the fullness of God dwells bodily in him who stands as head over every ruler and authority. Because that completeness is in him alone, no added teaching or power apart from him is needed, and his people are not to be spoiled through philosophy and vain deceit after human tradition and worldly rudiments. It is received by humbling self before God, giving up self-sufficiency and own righteousness, and trusting his merits, righteousness and perfect obedience counted as the believer's through his atoning sacrifice. It is grown into by beholding Christ and copying his character moment by moment, by continual advancement adding to faith virtue knowledge temperance patience godliness brotherly kindness and charity, until every deficiency is supplied and every excellence developed in Christian perfection. That completeness makes believers one with each other and with God, expresses itself in self-denying service and holy daily living, and stands as heaven's final verdict and preparation for Christ's coming, when the humble hear themselves declared complete for Paradise.
Meaning Of Completeness
To be complete in him means to be made full and to lack nothing in Christ, because all the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily in him who is head over every principality and power and every ruler and authority. That fullness is sufficient for faithful Christian life, so there is no need to turn from Christ to human guidance or to seek spiritual wisdom in human philosophy, tradition, or worldly teaching apart from him. Looking to Jesus, contemplating his character, and following his example belongs to this completeness, rather than treating self-indulgence or extravagance as religion. Those who have received Christ are to keep walking in him, rooted and built up in him and settled in the faith they were taught, overflowing with thanksgiving, refusing to be carried off by philosophy and empty deceit rooted in human tradition and worldly principles rather than Christ, refusing worldly entanglement that loses the knowledge of God, and holding fast instead of departing from the faith.
Completeness is practical, meaning having received Christ Jesus the Lord and then walking in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith as taught, abounding with thanksgiving. It includes circumcision made without hands in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ, burial with him in baptism, resurrection with him through faith in the operation of God who raised him from the dead, and being quickened together with him from death in sins and the uncircumcision of the flesh with forgiveness of all trespasses, fulfilling the pledge made with God at baptism with clear and decided victories in every line for those in union with him. It means hearts comforted and knit together in love unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding in the acknowledgment of God and of the Father and of Christ, in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. It requires refusing to be spoiled or beguiled through philosophy and vain deceit after the tradition of men and the rudiments of the world and not after Christ, refusing teachers who fill minds with maxims and suppositions and enforce oddities with enticing words, human reasoning, and deceptive theories, since Christ is the only security. The Bible that teaches this is not dark, mysterious, incomprehensible, perplexing and uncertain, but intensely interesting, given by inspiration of God and profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness to make the man of God perfect and thoroughly furnished unto all good works, and completeness is entered by learning of Christ and wearing his yoke, becoming meek and lowly in heart, and learning by experience that rest is found in service.
The exhortation was first spoken to the Colossians and Laodiceans and those who had not seen Paul, but it belongs to believers now. Holding completeness by faith means holding fast the truth already received in the first, second, and third angels' messages until the close of the work, including the message to Laodicea presenting the true state of the church and receiving the word of God not as the word of men but as the word of God which works effectually in those who believe, which holds believers from drifting into superstitions and theories, new and strange ideas, independent tracks, and fair-worded false doctrine that unsettle faith. It calls for order and steadfastness of faith in Christ, for walking in Christ as received, rooted and built up and established in faith with thanksgiving, for guarding against being beguiled by enticing words, and for refusing errors that would mar faith. It keeps all walking and working in perfect unity and love with one another and with Christ, with his name as watchword, his example as distinction, and his word as foundation of piety, and that unity gives strength and carries credentials before the world, while disregarding the Scriptural commands in regard to unity breaks the law of God as truly as breaking the fourth commandment. It belongs to the present day of preparation, awakening to responsibility with ever-increasing faith and joy proportionate to the greatness of the truth believed, to give the world a correct representation of the great work before God's people with unity, love, and courage, and the books and teachings of the Bible form a unified whole, with every part serving a purpose and contributing to making the human family complete in Christ.
The verse is a treasure house of encouragement to the believer to be read prayerfully and carefully for understanding, holding the rich, full, abundant, assuring promises of God to be received. It shows the folly of turning from Christ to humanity for help, for when Jesus is appreciated the salvation of God is seen, but when the Saviour is treated indifferently and the door is closed against the divine Helper to look to man for guidance there is no power, and it reveals what Christ is to believers and what believers may be to him as his helping hand. There is a fullness for us in Christ received only by faith and hope in the promises of God and by drawing near to Jesus in earnest supplication, by praying much, watching unto prayer, living prayers by practicing the principles of God's Word, seeking the Lord with the whole heart, and testifying of his grace in the fervor of the Holy Spirit, with the Word of God as guide and proof to vindicate faith in every time of need. Having Christ gives all things, so that even with nothing in this world the believer possesses everything, bringing the joy of the Lord as strength, contentment in God, stillness in God, and enjoyment of the riches of his grace, and once this fountain is discerned, appreciated, and improved, its healing stream flows out to others, while a heart full of heavenly treasure naturally shows forth the praises of him who called out of darkness into marvelous light. This fullness gives knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord, the light of life, and knowledge of the divine will, as true religion to be sought as hid treasure, and knowledge is power in spiritual as well as temporal things, so those who possess it can give a reason for the hope that is in them. All the fullness of the Godhead dwelling bodily in Christ and believers complete in him makes Christ's divine incarnation a central truth of the gospel and a test of whether a prophetic claim is from God.
Christ Head Over All
Believers are complete in him because he is the head of all principality and power, supreme over every ruler and authority and over every spiritual power, and all-sufficient for salvation. Their fullness is in Christ himself, not in any finite human leader, and rests entirely on who he is. Therefore they are to follow him and remain grounded in the faith rather than be led astray by human teachings, influence, or philosophies that depart from him. God alone through his grace makes them complete in Christ as the source of strength, having fully supplied through him every power of grace and every provision needed for redemption, which is available to those who walk humbly before him. That completeness carries the call to keep advancing toward perfection of character and Christlikeness.
He is the one in whom all the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily, the express image of his Father's person, equal with God yet humbled to death on the cross and now highly exalted with a name above every name. He is Creator of all things visible and invisible, including thrones, dominions, principalities and powers, upholder of all things, receiver of all things from the Father, and Lord both of the dead and the living by his death and resurrection. He is the center of the patriarchs, the Levitical priesthood and the Christian churches, to be all and in all as the one spiritual Head, the Rock higher than the overwhelmed heart and the only sure foundation while every other foundation is shifting sand. In him as Head all distinctions of Jew or Greek, bond or free, male or female are removed so that all are one in Christ Jesus. This truth belongs to his last communications to his loved ones, to be repeated to the whole world to make plain his relation to his Father and to his church on earth.
His completeness comes from his infinite fullness and sufficiency, his precious all-atoning sacrifice and shed blood, his all-atoning merits and his sanctifying righteousness, from whose fullness all receive grace for grace. He took humanity into himself by obedience, carried it to the heavenly courts as representative, and his complete sacrifice enables restoration. He is the perfect pattern of completeness, and those who yoke themselves with him and look unto him as author and finisher of faith are changed from character to character into his image, no longer retaining the same mold of character but more and more reflecting Jesus. This requires daily conversion and daily lessons in his school, being molded and fashioned as clay by the potter, giving God opportunity to impress minds and place his mold upon character and upon the church instead of putting a human mold upon church members, in order to lead men away from self and out of self to become one with him.
In him are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, for he is the source of fullness who makes whole, the perfect pattern of a complete human being, and the true Teacher and Leader. Through him students can reach the highest achievements and highest ends of learning, knowledge and science, while education and learning alone cannot bring them to him. Knowing God and his will must come first, and with God learning can enlarge the mind, form character, give wisdom and direction, and be used to glorify him. That completeness is pursued by combining the natural and the spiritual in study, clinging to him who is infinite in knowledge and can reveal hidden secrets and solve difficult problems for believing minds, with honesty and industry, proper care of the body, and applying every power of the mind to gain knowledge and wisdom in spiritual things and to advance as fast and far as possible. Divorced from God and his wisdom, education is lame, one-sided, and dead to the saving qualities that give power, leaving man incapable of acquiring immortality through faith in Christ.
Rejecting Human Philosophy
Because completeness is in Christ alone, believers need no extra teaching or power apart from him. They are made full and lacking nothing in him because all the fullness of God dwells bodily in him and he rules over every ruler and authority. Those who have received Christ are therefore to keep walking in him, rooted and built up and settled in the faith they were taught, overflowing with thanksgiving. They must not be spoiled or carried off or beguiled through philosophy and empty deceit rooted in human tradition and worldly principles rather than Christ. That includes maxims and suppositions and enticing words, invented teachings and strange doctrines and fair-worded false doctrine, new ideas and independent tracks, superstitions, worldly entanglement that loses the knowledge of God, former habits and reliance on self, and scientific methods of seeking God instead of after Christ. This completeness is the only safety and safeguard, planted in the heart by the Holy Spirit and kept by looking unto Jesus, contemplating his life and character, following his footsteps, and living to a higher, holier, self-sacrificing standard, and applied to students it promises success to everyone who studies with an eye single to the glory of God for time and for eternity.
That refusal means not turning from Christ to human guidance and not placing influential wisdom before the greatest Teacher. No finite leader is to be given honor and respect unless his works testify that God honors him and keeps him, especially one who refuses God's counsel, allows himself to be influenced by seducing spirits, despises God in his saints, and seeks to glorify himself. Wisdom is not to be sought from people of great intelligence who have not learned the wisdom of God, for completeness comes by coming to him in faith and receiving his fullness in close union between receiver and Giver, and by being established in faith through knowledge and wisdom found only in the riches of God's wisdom and revealed by his Spirit. Those who exalt human wisdom and grasp the mass of matter from so-called great men drink from broken cisterns that can hold no heavenly pure water, lose power to distinguish valley waters from the pure snow waters of Lebanon, lose discernment, mar faith by error, depart from the faith to seducing spirits, and deny completeness in Christ. A teacher whose mind is not complete through Christ will impart a defective stamp to students' minds and characters, while completeness requires being cleansed from all self-exaltation, losing sight of self, looking ever to Christ, keeping the garments of humility and contrition, never placing human merit where God should be, submitting the intellect to the molding of the Holy Spirit to receive wisdom from above, discerning the demand of God's commandments, receiving Christ's righteousness, being reconciled through his blood, being one with the Father through Jesus Christ, and walking in perfect obedience with genuine faith in safety as long as eyes remain fixed on him.
Receiving Completeness By Faith
Completeness in him is received when the human agent humbles self before God, gives up all feeling of self-sufficiency and own righteousness as of no account, realizes utter inability to do the work needed for purification of soul, and entrusts self in felt dependence. It comes by being emptied of self so that love of self is swallowed in love for Christ, by bringing every thought into obedience to Christ, by surrendering the will to God without compulsion, by cherishing his love and laying hold of grace, and by receiving him as personal Saviour. Those who come as sinful and unworthy, confess sins and seek pardon, rely on his merits and receive full and free salvation by promise to pardon transgressors, trusting with childlike confidence rather than self-merit or human help, for the whole sacrifice procures full salvation and gives his righteousness as gift not earned or paid for. Complete surrender joins to Christ and enables reaching the standard of Christlike character, for Christian perfection is grounded in Christ and made possible through his strength and grace, not achieved apart from him, and to those who thus surrender heaven's light is given and the Holy Spirit without measure and a share in his glory.
It comes by beholding Christ, contemplating his character and life and beauty, learning at his feet in his school, wearing his yoke in meekness and lowliness, and becoming acquainted with him in experience. By constantly beholding the Saviour minds are enlightened with wisdom from above until becoming more and more like him, engraved with his image, created anew, and changed from character to character and glory to glory, until at last completeness can be declared in the heavenly courts. By copying his gentleness and lowliness and virtues and obedience moment by moment, fixing eyes on him and following his footsteps and learning from his life, believers become one with him, reflect his character, and receive divine power to represent him as he represented the Father. This completeness is not own righteousness but righteousness found in Christ Jesus, shown by patience kindness and forbearance proving separation from the world, by growing in grace and knowledge with continuing moral renovation unto hatred of sin and selfishness, and by advancement that is carried into the courts above where each overcomer is assigned lot and place according to advancement made in this life.
The Holy Spirit as Christ's representative gives spiritual life, cleanses moral defilement, implants a new nature, and prepares the soul for his kingdom. Through association with divinity the Spirit brings new power to mind and spirit, sanctifies and purifies the mind, molds the renewed soul to Christ's character, and conforms it to Christ so that enmity against God becomes faith and love and pride becomes humility and the beauty of truth and Christ's excellence are reflected. Those who welcome the Spirit are made complete in him as the good work begun in them is brought to completion, with holy thoughts heavenly affections and Christlike actions replacing impure thoughts perverse feelings and rebellious acts. To be complete is to have heart-knowledge and not head-knowledge only of law and saving grace, to be filled with the Spirit, to be joined to him rooted and built up and established in faith, and to be united body soul and spirit to Christ for partaking of the divine nature unto perfection by his grace.
This completeness is not own righteousness but Christ's merits and righteousness and perfect obedience counted as the believer's, his all-atoning sacrifice and shed blood and ransom paying the price for full salvation and complete restoration. All transgressions are transferred to Christ, while he who knew no sin was made sin and the sinless One counted sinful, his righteousness is placed upon the undeserving so that the repenting sinner who believes is declared sinless uncondemned innocent before God in holiness like his, made whole through forgiveness and imputed righteousness. It is received by complete consecration casting the soul naked upon mercy, by ceasing to rest partly on self and staying close to Jesus in trust, and by cooperating with divine power putting forth human effort to subdue sin, for unbelief separates from Christ while confession looking to the cross and receiving forgiveness presses on toward completeness. God has provided not for remaining in defects or serving in sinful nature but for having Christ's righteousness instead of own, with the fullness of God and storehouse of knowledge and grace available in him, yet without removing obligation to keep all commandments through Christ formed within.
It is entered and kept by the baptismal pledge of circumcision burial and resurrection through faith, by yoking with Christ and letting God work within, and by cooperation with Christ in human weakness receiving divine help for mighty deeds in saving souls. It comes by rightly knowing God and Christ sent to live and die for sinners, gained by earnest diligent reverent study of the Bible as words of him who is Alpha and Omega of wisdom, taking it in faith as truth and receiving it into character, which knowledge is life eternal and alone brings the final verdict of completeness. By being educated in Bible lines and diligently searching the Word, imperfections are discovered and sanctification taught, the mind is strengthened refined elevated and fitted for immortal life with duties to God and fellow men distinctly taught, presenting in Christ the true perfection that maintained becomes a perfect whole for every soul. It is kept by prayer asking in his name and receiving things asked for, by feeding the mind on solemn truth rather than controversy, by giving eternal interests greater attention than earthly pursuits in walking in Christ, and by individual contrite meek lowly communion opening communication between God and the soul for guidance wisdom and sanctified judgment, where even stammering humble prayer in faith and loving appeal in Christ's spirit are wholly acceptable and make even the young a power for God.
Growing Into Christlikeness
To be complete in him is to possess Christian perfection in the human sphere as God is perfect in his, which is Christlikeness embracing everything good and pure and noble and elevated. Through him every deficiency of character may be supplied, every defilement cleansed, every fault corrected, and every excellence developed. That completeness refines the taste, sanctifies the judgment, and purifies the thoughts, and it never degrades the receiver. It is the condition of those who with steadfast perseverance strive to reveal the attributes of Christ, to whom enlarged views of his character and work and his power and grace and love are given, so that they become partakers of his nature and day by day grow up to the full stature of men and women in Christ. The sanctification of the Spirit is then seen in thought and word and deed, and the ministry becomes life and salvation to all with whom they associate. Those who come to know Christ in this way are complete in him, and this is both a precious assurance connected with learning at his feet and the hope of eternal life and the final assurance given to those who gain that knowledge.
Completeness is a present goal to be reached this very day by advancing upward day by day to a higher standard than ever reached in the past. It is not reached at once but by continual advancement on the plan of addition, adding to faith virtue, and to virtue knowledge, and to knowledge temperance, and to temperance patience, and to patience godliness, and to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness charity. By cooperating with Christ in this daily process of growth, beholding Jesus and his character, keeping the eyes fixed on Jesus and on the mark of the prize of the high calling in Christ Jesus, and working out salvation with fear and trembling, the believer is not found tomorrow where he is today. Through faith in him believers may reach the highest standard of Christian perfection and are united with him in love, pressing toward Christian character and conformity to God's will by advancing daily in holiness and becoming like Christ in aspiration, meekness, lowliness, and character. This life of faithful growth is entered by urging the way heavenward instead of folding the hands and resting satisfied with a low standard, developing character after the likeness of Christ by diligent application, doing duty in obtaining an education here below, learning of Jesus, and accepting the emancipation bought by his precious blood. Those who so strive in his name and strength for full Christian development expect much, receive much, and impart much under the Holy Spirit, hold the beginning of their confidence firm unto the end, make their calling and election sure so they shall never fall, and live so that heaven declares them complete in him, with mansions prepared and education progressing through eternal ages, while those satisfied with a low standard when they might reach a higher one are weighed and found wanting.
That growth requires diligent cooperation in which the whole trust rests in Christ and completeness is found in him, not in self. Those who submit to God and obey Christ's words and honor God by obeying his commandments are complete in him, for through divine truth applied to the heart God's perfect image is reproduced in them. Their completeness means cooperating with him in the work of soul-saving and brings the highest level of Christian influence and power from above, giving grace that represents heaven's spirit and Christ's Spirit in speech and voice and attitude. It makes victory possible where temptation presses at weakest points, for those weaknesses are to be made strong, and when provoked by words silence can stop conflict sooner than an attempt to explain. Those who truly believe, confess and forsake their sins, grow more and more like Christ until heaven declares them complete in him, which is the overcoming of sin gained in this present life as the only probation for securing the eternal reward.
Heaven's Final Verdict
Completeness in Christ is the final verdict spoken at last and the most precious commendation written in the books of heaven over those who live purely growing lives. It belongs to those who partake of the divine nature escaped from corruption, put on Christ, bear God's image, and are acknowledged as fellow workers lifted from sin's low condition. It means standing on a high platform as God's husbandry and God's building, refusing frivolity, doing all work thoroughly and conscientiously, putting no rotten timbers or imperfect material into character building, and living openly before Him with whom all have to do until conduct answers to completeness in Him. It is the highest of all attainments, requiring vigilant watching against sin, sincerity and real reformation shown in purity and righteousness, truth dwelling in the heart to ennoble and sanctify the life, guilelessness as Christ was guileless, close union with Him, working to God's glory, and daily receiving His grace, made certain by Christ's sacrifice which assures victory to every striving soul who overcomes. It is grown full stature as men and women in Christ and God's verdict on those true to the Christian name, who do whatever Christ commands and are therefore counted as friends of God, who avoid entangling nonessential responsibilities that weave individual misconceptions into the work, and who give more time to what establishes, strengthens, and settles mind and heart.
It is a standing God Himself must be able to affirm, measured by what a person is and not by what he professes to be. Without the new birth no one can be counted complete in Him, and without an entire transformation of character no one will ever see God, for without it genuine religious life remains only a fable. It comes when God forms in them a character like His own perfect character, bringing the precious graces of the Spirit into daily life as the fitting up in this life for a part in the future life, so that the record in the books of heaven stands as complete. That polishing removes quarry roughness, putting away roughness of spirit, coarseness of speech, and cheapness of character, and refusing sinful habits that would spoil God's design, until the image of God in the divine similitude is borne. It means wearing the wedding garment of His righteousness woven in the heavenly loom, without which no one can enter the kingdom, and keeping those righteous garments ready.
This completeness is the preparation needed for His soon coming and what must be declared of each person at the judgment, with the daily record of life written in the books of heaven deciding whether that completeness is found. It is secured only in this probation, which is the only time to mold character after the divine model through the Son who gave Himself to redeem and purify, with no second probation after death in which to repair a failed Christian character or secure the eternal reward. Those who truly believe, confess and forsake their sins, grow more and more like Christ until heaven declares them complete in Him, overcoming sin in this present life. It is formed in character and shown in action, not in claims of spiritual knowledge or truth while cherishing pride, prejudice, or an un-Christlike spirit, but by loving God supremely and neighbor as self through His grace. Each person's own completeness is at stake rather than others' defects, requiring urging heavenward without resting on a low standard, confessing, repenting, and reaching higher now.
Watching and keeping the garments of Christ's righteous character ready for His coming and the marriage supper of the Lamb is its expression, for the clean white linen is the righteousness of the saints. Those who hope to unite with the redeemed at Christ's coming make working together with God in a life devoted to Him their one aim, and as they behold the Lord's glory the Spirit changes them from character to character into His image. Ministering angels help this fitting work for the courts of heaven, with principalities and powers in heavenly places combining to bring the heavenly atmosphere and the truth of God to bear on tempted hearts so Satan cannot disqualify souls for the place the Lord would have them fill. Reaching the highest attainments under the education of Jesus Christ, every defect is to be recognized and decisively removed and every action made an act of devotion in continuous obedience and service.
At entrance into Paradise the humble and contrite hear God's voice, sweeter than music, declare them complete, for there is but one way into the kingdom by humbling self and becoming as a little child. Then Christ's prayer to have them with Him where He is to behold His glory is answered when He Himself shows them the rich glories of His kingdom, the righteous shine forth in the kingdom of their Father, and God speaks, Ye are complete in Him. Nothing can be added to the completeness He gives, who gave His life to save sinners and is now seated with the Father on His throne, who left the royal courts to make men partakers of the divine nature escaped from corruption through lust. It holds out possibilities to be striven for with Christ as helper and assurance and no disappointment in the work, provided for those who trust Him, follow His way and heed His instruction, who shall be conformed to His likeness and filled with peace and contentment and joy and sacred love. God is faithful and will make His people complete in Him through experimental knowledge as laborers together with God, climbing to higher levels with the help of heavenly intelligences, retaining self-sacrifice, and moving bravely through all difficulties as conquerors.
Its increased capabilities and education are carried into the courts above for eternal progress and higher education there. That education is formed by the love of God and purity of soul running through the life like threads of gold and molding character after the divine similitude, gained by faithful advancement in true education. It comes as intellectual and spiritual benefits received from God are given out again to draw others to higher excellence, as work done for others' good receives the cooperation of unseen agencies, and as high aspirations are kept for righteousness, holiness, and a perfect knowledge of God. Fullness belongs individually through refining fire to those who seek by faith to share the divine nature, every provision having been made for them.
Unity Service Daily Living
To be complete in him is to be one with fellow believers and with Christ, and in Christ one with God. This oneness comes when the Holy Spirit is received and believers come together in unity and brotherly sympathy, binding their interests together in love, with barriers of selfishness removed and dividing lines of territory, color, and caste taken down in obedience to John 17. Those who truly love God have communion with Christ with hearts warmed with fervent love toward him and have the inward evidence that they are beloved of God, and God claims them and imparts special favors enabling them to be complete, which is divine power moving upon the inward man and influencing the heart so that outward conduct is shaped into Christ's pattern and convinces associates that Christ is the pattern, making them more than conquerors through him who loved them. That completeness includes sanctification through the truth by which they may be made one, lived out by giving up personal preferences and letting Christ reign in heart and mind, for clinging to individual ideas and separating over disagreements dishonors Christ and weakens spiritual life, while the power of the Word leading souls to believe and the sanctification of the truth show themselves in a life of unity and tenderness and love that binds heart to heart, not fixing affections on self but working for the good of others while receiving and imparting grace for grace.
Completeness is expressed in self-denying and self-sacrificing service that keeps individual holiness and consecration in view and through sanctification of the truth abounds in works of benevolence to the uplifting of others, with the thankful heart continually overflowing in blessing to others like a well of living water springing up into everlasting life. It includes the intelligence God gives to those who meet his requirements and serve as working agencies in the church, and it is growing up to the full stature of men and women in Christ Jesus, being fully qualified as laborers together with God, carrying the burden of souls and using every talent and capability to bring souls under Christ's banner and win them to the truth, and through earnest cultivation of the Christian graces having an influence fragrant and pure and undefiled, purified from selfishness, as a savor of life unto life. It is reaching the standard of perfection Christ died to make possible through restoration of the moral image of God lost through disobedience, which God desires for every person with all heaven working for it yet left to free choice to choose the right side, connect with heavenly agencies, and by faith adopt the reviving restoring principles that characterize Christ's life, which become in the soul as a well of water springing up unto everlasting life causing the soul to overflow with riches of grace to refresh other souls, and it is shown by good works that improve God-given talents in partnership with Christ in ministry. Being complete in him who is head of all principality and power is an offered privilege received through working with the graces of Christ in blessed service for others, for a Christian is Christlike, and if he withholds his means or service he remains incomplete, weighed in the balance and found wanting, since completeness comes from his fullness by first receiving grace, then bestowing grace, and as it is imparted grace is received more abundantly, and believers grow up into Christ and become complete in him in connection with doing the work God gives them including laboring to save those who do not know the truth.
In daily life completeness is personal religion as a principle of the heart, not a magical word or trick of the mind, revealed by deportment, words, and actions, causing growth in health of soul and body lived to the glory of God until at last perfection receives the Lord's commendation as complete in Christ through looking to Jesus only for eternal life and healing of body and soul, with the mind centered on God and not on any human being. It falls short in a weak and immature religious experience that lacks persistent effort to develop right character, and students are directed to seek their completeness in Christ as they grow in Christian life. It comes from copying Christ's character and becoming familiar with his gentleness and lowliness, shown by patience, kindness, and forbearance that prove a person is not of the world, and by learning day by day the lessons that fit for the higher school, with advancement made in this life by beholding Christ carried into the courts above when the books of heaven are opened and each overcomer is assigned a lot and place according to advancement made here. It is the most precious commendation written against a name in the books of heaven at last, belonging to those who learn in details of daily life to build for time and eternity, doing whatever is to be done carefully, neatly, exactly and with economy, consecrating every talent to Christ instead of hiding it, with worth determined by faithfulness in little things and in that which is least. It is gained by inner change rather than by seeking higher positions or diminishing others, with faithfulness in small responsibilities preparing for greater ones, and Christlike meekness, lowliness, and tested integrity are part of this growth, calling for humility before God without boasting and for putting away harshness and unchristlike attacks that grieve Christ.
For students completeness means through Christ they can reach the highest achievements and ends of learning and knowledge and science, for knowledge and education are valuable but knowing God and his will must come first, and Christ is the essential source of wisdom and of faithful study that honors God, while education alone cannot bring them to Christ but with God learning can enlarge the mind, form character, give wisdom and direction, and be used to glorify him. Every child is to be made complete in Christ, opening before each child a life involved with highest interests, through the instrumentalities God has furnished, especially earnest parental work in childhood and youth, with parents having the solemn work to train and mold character, not doing surface work, combining practical and literary training and storing the mind with knowledge, preoccupying the soil of the heart and sowing seeds of truth in earliest years, dealing tenderly and lovingly and teaching that Christ is the personal Saviour and that by giving hearts and minds to him they become his disciples. Educators in schools are to be ever learning from Christ the great Teacher who draws attention to himself, grasping every idea of advance to obtain correct development of character constantly leading to higher attainments, so that they become complete in Christ Jesus without spot or wrinkle or any such thing. Being made complete in Christ is necessary for salvation and is more than being united in church capacity, for no one is saved by church membership alone until the seal of God is placed upon him and he is made complete in Christ, which stands opposite the self-exaltation, ambition to be first, and unwillingness to be under restraint that caused Satan, once a covering cherub created for God's glory, to fall from his high position and that causes thousands to fall today.
Believers are made full and lacking nothing in Christ, because all the fullness of God dwells bodily in him who stands as head over every ruler and authority.
Because that completeness is in him alone, no added teaching or power apart from him is needed, and his people are not to be spoiled through philosophy and vain deceit after human tradition and worldly rudiments.
It is received by humbling self before God, giving up self-sufficiency and own righteousness, and trusting his merits, righteousness and perfect obedience counted as the believer's through his atoning sacrifice.
It is grown into by beholding Christ and copying his character moment by moment, by continual advancement adding to faith virtue knowledge temperance patience godliness brotherly kindness and charity, until every deficiency is supplied and every excellence developed in Christian perfection.
That completeness makes believers one with each other and with God, expresses itself in self-denying service and holy daily living, and stands as heaven's final verdict and preparation for Christ's coming, when the humble hear themselves declared complete for Paradise.
Meaning Of Completeness
To be complete in him means to be made full and to lack nothing in Christ, because all the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily in him who is head over every principality and power and every ruler and authority. That fullness is sufficient for faithful Christian life, so there is no need to turn from Christ to human guidance or to seek spiritual wisdom in human philosophy, tradition, or worldly teaching apart from him. Looking to Jesus, contemplating his character, and following his example belongs to this completeness, rather than treating self-indulgence or extravagance as religion. Those who have received Christ are to keep walking in him, rooted and built up in him and settled in the faith they were taught, overflowing with thanksgiving, refusing to be carried off by philosophy and empty deceit rooted in human tradition and worldly principles rather than Christ, refusing worldly entanglement that loses the knowledge of God, and holding fast instead of departing from the faith.
Completeness is practical, meaning having received Christ Jesus the Lord and then walking in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith as taught, abounding with thanksgiving. It includes circumcision made without hands in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ, burial with him in baptism, resurrection with him through faith in the operation of God who raised him from the dead, and being quickened together with him from death in sins and the uncircumcision of the flesh with forgiveness of all trespasses, fulfilling the pledge made with God at baptism with clear and decided victories in every line for those in union with him. It means hearts comforted and knit together in love unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding in the acknowledgment of God and of the Father and of Christ, in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. It requires refusing to be spoiled or beguiled through philosophy and vain deceit after the tradition of men and the rudiments of the world and not after Christ, refusing teachers who fill minds with maxims and suppositions and enforce oddities with enticing words, human reasoning, and deceptive theories, since Christ is the only security. The Bible that teaches this is not dark, mysterious, incomprehensible, perplexing and uncertain, but intensely interesting, given by inspiration of God and profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness to make the man of God perfect and thoroughly furnished unto all good works, and completeness is entered by learning of Christ and wearing his yoke, becoming meek and lowly in heart, and learning by experience that rest is found in service.
The exhortation was first spoken to the Colossians and Laodiceans and those who had not seen Paul, but it belongs to believers now. Holding completeness by faith means holding fast the truth already received in the first, second, and third angels' messages until the close of the work, including the message to Laodicea presenting the true state of the church and receiving the word of God not as the word of men but as the word of God which works effectually in those who believe, which holds believers from drifting into superstitions and theories, new and strange ideas, independent tracks, and fair-worded false doctrine that unsettle faith. It calls for order and steadfastness of faith in Christ, for walking in Christ as received, rooted and built up and established in faith with thanksgiving, for guarding against being beguiled by enticing words, and for refusing errors that would mar faith. It keeps all walking and working in perfect unity and love with one another and with Christ, with his name as watchword, his example as distinction, and his word as foundation of piety, and that unity gives strength and carries credentials before the world, while disregarding the Scriptural commands in regard to unity breaks the law of God as truly as breaking the fourth commandment. It belongs to the present day of preparation, awakening to responsibility with ever-increasing faith and joy proportionate to the greatness of the truth believed, to give the world a correct representation of the great work before God's people with unity, love, and courage, and the books and teachings of the Bible form a unified whole, with every part serving a purpose and contributing to making the human family complete in Christ.
The verse is a treasure house of encouragement to the believer to be read prayerfully and carefully for understanding, holding the rich, full, abundant, assuring promises of God to be received. It shows the folly of turning from Christ to humanity for help, for when Jesus is appreciated the salvation of God is seen, but when the Saviour is treated indifferently and the door is closed against the divine Helper to look to man for guidance there is no power, and it reveals what Christ is to believers and what believers may be to him as his helping hand. There is a fullness for us in Christ received only by faith and hope in the promises of God and by drawing near to Jesus in earnest supplication, by praying much, watching unto prayer, living prayers by practicing the principles of God's Word, seeking the Lord with the whole heart, and testifying of his grace in the fervor of the Holy Spirit, with the Word of God as guide and proof to vindicate faith in every time of need. Having Christ gives all things, so that even with nothing in this world the believer possesses everything, bringing the joy of the Lord as strength, contentment in God, stillness in God, and enjoyment of the riches of his grace, and once this fountain is discerned, appreciated, and improved, its healing stream flows out to others, while a heart full of heavenly treasure naturally shows forth the praises of him who called out of darkness into marvelous light. This fullness gives knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord, the light of life, and knowledge of the divine will, as true religion to be sought as hid treasure, and knowledge is power in spiritual as well as temporal things, so those who possess it can give a reason for the hope that is in them. All the fullness of the Godhead dwelling bodily in Christ and believers complete in him makes Christ's divine incarnation a central truth of the gospel and a test of whether a prophetic claim is from God.
Christ Head Over All
Believers are complete in him because he is the head of all principality and power, supreme over every ruler and authority and over every spiritual power, and all-sufficient for salvation. Their fullness is in Christ himself, not in any finite human leader, and rests entirely on who he is. Therefore they are to follow him and remain grounded in the faith rather than be led astray by human teachings, influence, or philosophies that depart from him. God alone through his grace makes them complete in Christ as the source of strength, having fully supplied through him every power of grace and every provision needed for redemption, which is available to those who walk humbly before him. That completeness carries the call to keep advancing toward perfection of character and Christlikeness.
He is the one in whom all the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily, the express image of his Father's person, equal with God yet humbled to death on the cross and now highly exalted with a name above every name. He is Creator of all things visible and invisible, including thrones, dominions, principalities and powers, upholder of all things, receiver of all things from the Father, and Lord both of the dead and the living by his death and resurrection. He is the center of the patriarchs, the Levitical priesthood and the Christian churches, to be all and in all as the one spiritual Head, the Rock higher than the overwhelmed heart and the only sure foundation while every other foundation is shifting sand. In him as Head all distinctions of Jew or Greek, bond or free, male or female are removed so that all are one in Christ Jesus. This truth belongs to his last communications to his loved ones, to be repeated to the whole world to make plain his relation to his Father and to his church on earth.
His completeness comes from his infinite fullness and sufficiency, his precious all-atoning sacrifice and shed blood, his all-atoning merits and his sanctifying righteousness, from whose fullness all receive grace for grace. He took humanity into himself by obedience, carried it to the heavenly courts as representative, and his complete sacrifice enables restoration. He is the perfect pattern of completeness, and those who yoke themselves with him and look unto him as author and finisher of faith are changed from character to character into his image, no longer retaining the same mold of character but more and more reflecting Jesus. This requires daily conversion and daily lessons in his school, being molded and fashioned as clay by the potter, giving God opportunity to impress minds and place his mold upon character and upon the church instead of putting a human mold upon church members, in order to lead men away from self and out of self to become one with him.
In him are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, for he is the source of fullness who makes whole, the perfect pattern of a complete human being, and the true Teacher and Leader. Through him students can reach the highest achievements and highest ends of learning, knowledge and science, while education and learning alone cannot bring them to him. Knowing God and his will must come first, and with God learning can enlarge the mind, form character, give wisdom and direction, and be used to glorify him. That completeness is pursued by combining the natural and the spiritual in study, clinging to him who is infinite in knowledge and can reveal hidden secrets and solve difficult problems for believing minds, with honesty and industry, proper care of the body, and applying every power of the mind to gain knowledge and wisdom in spiritual things and to advance as fast and far as possible. Divorced from God and his wisdom, education is lame, one-sided, and dead to the saving qualities that give power, leaving man incapable of acquiring immortality through faith in Christ.
Rejecting Human Philosophy
Because completeness is in Christ alone, believers need no extra teaching or power apart from him. They are made full and lacking nothing in him because all the fullness of God dwells bodily in him and he rules over every ruler and authority. Those who have received Christ are therefore to keep walking in him, rooted and built up and settled in the faith they were taught, overflowing with thanksgiving. They must not be spoiled or carried off or beguiled through philosophy and empty deceit rooted in human tradition and worldly principles rather than Christ. That includes maxims and suppositions and enticing words, invented teachings and strange doctrines and fair-worded false doctrine, new ideas and independent tracks, superstitions, worldly entanglement that loses the knowledge of God, former habits and reliance on self, and scientific methods of seeking God instead of after Christ. This completeness is the only safety and safeguard, planted in the heart by the Holy Spirit and kept by looking unto Jesus, contemplating his life and character, following his footsteps, and living to a higher, holier, self-sacrificing standard, and applied to students it promises success to everyone who studies with an eye single to the glory of God for time and for eternity.
That refusal means not turning from Christ to human guidance and not placing influential wisdom before the greatest Teacher. No finite leader is to be given honor and respect unless his works testify that God honors him and keeps him, especially one who refuses God's counsel, allows himself to be influenced by seducing spirits, despises God in his saints, and seeks to glorify himself. Wisdom is not to be sought from people of great intelligence who have not learned the wisdom of God, for completeness comes by coming to him in faith and receiving his fullness in close union between receiver and Giver, and by being established in faith through knowledge and wisdom found only in the riches of God's wisdom and revealed by his Spirit. Those who exalt human wisdom and grasp the mass of matter from so-called great men drink from broken cisterns that can hold no heavenly pure water, lose power to distinguish valley waters from the pure snow waters of Lebanon, lose discernment, mar faith by error, depart from the faith to seducing spirits, and deny completeness in Christ. A teacher whose mind is not complete through Christ will impart a defective stamp to students' minds and characters, while completeness requires being cleansed from all self-exaltation, losing sight of self, looking ever to Christ, keeping the garments of humility and contrition, never placing human merit where God should be, submitting the intellect to the molding of the Holy Spirit to receive wisdom from above, discerning the demand of God's commandments, receiving Christ's righteousness, being reconciled through his blood, being one with the Father through Jesus Christ, and walking in perfect obedience with genuine faith in safety as long as eyes remain fixed on him.
Receiving Completeness By Faith
Completeness in him is received when the human agent humbles self before God, gives up all feeling of self-sufficiency and own righteousness as of no account, realizes utter inability to do the work needed for purification of soul, and entrusts self in felt dependence. It comes by being emptied of self so that love of self is swallowed in love for Christ, by bringing every thought into obedience to Christ, by surrendering the will to God without compulsion, by cherishing his love and laying hold of grace, and by receiving him as personal Saviour. Those who come as sinful and unworthy, confess sins and seek pardon, rely on his merits and receive full and free salvation by promise to pardon transgressors, trusting with childlike confidence rather than self-merit or human help, for the whole sacrifice procures full salvation and gives his righteousness as gift not earned or paid for. Complete surrender joins to Christ and enables reaching the standard of Christlike character, for Christian perfection is grounded in Christ and made possible through his strength and grace, not achieved apart from him, and to those who thus surrender heaven's light is given and the Holy Spirit without measure and a share in his glory.
It comes by beholding Christ, contemplating his character and life and beauty, learning at his feet in his school, wearing his yoke in meekness and lowliness, and becoming acquainted with him in experience. By constantly beholding the Saviour minds are enlightened with wisdom from above until becoming more and more like him, engraved with his image, created anew, and changed from character to character and glory to glory, until at last completeness can be declared in the heavenly courts. By copying his gentleness and lowliness and virtues and obedience moment by moment, fixing eyes on him and following his footsteps and learning from his life, believers become one with him, reflect his character, and receive divine power to represent him as he represented the Father. This completeness is not own righteousness but righteousness found in Christ Jesus, shown by patience kindness and forbearance proving separation from the world, by growing in grace and knowledge with continuing moral renovation unto hatred of sin and selfishness, and by advancement that is carried into the courts above where each overcomer is assigned lot and place according to advancement made in this life.
The Holy Spirit as Christ's representative gives spiritual life, cleanses moral defilement, implants a new nature, and prepares the soul for his kingdom. Through association with divinity the Spirit brings new power to mind and spirit, sanctifies and purifies the mind, molds the renewed soul to Christ's character, and conforms it to Christ so that enmity against God becomes faith and love and pride becomes humility and the beauty of truth and Christ's excellence are reflected. Those who welcome the Spirit are made complete in him as the good work begun in them is brought to completion, with holy thoughts heavenly affections and Christlike actions replacing impure thoughts perverse feelings and rebellious acts. To be complete is to have heart-knowledge and not head-knowledge only of law and saving grace, to be filled with the Spirit, to be joined to him rooted and built up and established in faith, and to be united body soul and spirit to Christ for partaking of the divine nature unto perfection by his grace.
This completeness is not own righteousness but Christ's merits and righteousness and perfect obedience counted as the believer's, his all-atoning sacrifice and shed blood and ransom paying the price for full salvation and complete restoration. All transgressions are transferred to Christ, while he who knew no sin was made sin and the sinless One counted sinful, his righteousness is placed upon the undeserving so that the repenting sinner who believes is declared sinless uncondemned innocent before God in holiness like his, made whole through forgiveness and imputed righteousness. It is received by complete consecration casting the soul naked upon mercy, by ceasing to rest partly on self and staying close to Jesus in trust, and by cooperating with divine power putting forth human effort to subdue sin, for unbelief separates from Christ while confession looking to the cross and receiving forgiveness presses on toward completeness. God has provided not for remaining in defects or serving in sinful nature but for having Christ's righteousness instead of own, with the fullness of God and storehouse of knowledge and grace available in him, yet without removing obligation to keep all commandments through Christ formed within.
It is entered and kept by the baptismal pledge of circumcision burial and resurrection through faith, by yoking with Christ and letting God work within, and by cooperation with Christ in human weakness receiving divine help for mighty deeds in saving souls. It comes by rightly knowing God and Christ sent to live and die for sinners, gained by earnest diligent reverent study of the Bible as words of him who is Alpha and Omega of wisdom, taking it in faith as truth and receiving it into character, which knowledge is life eternal and alone brings the final verdict of completeness. By being educated in Bible lines and diligently searching the Word, imperfections are discovered and sanctification taught, the mind is strengthened refined elevated and fitted for immortal life with duties to God and fellow men distinctly taught, presenting in Christ the true perfection that maintained becomes a perfect whole for every soul. It is kept by prayer asking in his name and receiving things asked for, by feeding the mind on solemn truth rather than controversy, by giving eternal interests greater attention than earthly pursuits in walking in Christ, and by individual contrite meek lowly communion opening communication between God and the soul for guidance wisdom and sanctified judgment, where even stammering humble prayer in faith and loving appeal in Christ's spirit are wholly acceptable and make even the young a power for God.
Growing Into Christlikeness
To be complete in him is to possess Christian perfection in the human sphere as God is perfect in his, which is Christlikeness embracing everything good and pure and noble and elevated. Through him every deficiency of character may be supplied, every defilement cleansed, every fault corrected, and every excellence developed. That completeness refines the taste, sanctifies the judgment, and purifies the thoughts, and it never degrades the receiver. It is the condition of those who with steadfast perseverance strive to reveal the attributes of Christ, to whom enlarged views of his character and work and his power and grace and love are given, so that they become partakers of his nature and day by day grow up to the full stature of men and women in Christ. The sanctification of the Spirit is then seen in thought and word and deed, and the ministry becomes life and salvation to all with whom they associate. Those who come to know Christ in this way are complete in him, and this is both a precious assurance connected with learning at his feet and the hope of eternal life and the final assurance given to those who gain that knowledge.
Completeness is a present goal to be reached this very day by advancing upward day by day to a higher standard than ever reached in the past. It is not reached at once but by continual advancement on the plan of addition, adding to faith virtue, and to virtue knowledge, and to knowledge temperance, and to temperance patience, and to patience godliness, and to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness charity. By cooperating with Christ in this daily process of growth, beholding Jesus and his character, keeping the eyes fixed on Jesus and on the mark of the prize of the high calling in Christ Jesus, and working out salvation with fear and trembling, the believer is not found tomorrow where he is today. Through faith in him believers may reach the highest standard of Christian perfection and are united with him in love, pressing toward Christian character and conformity to God's will by advancing daily in holiness and becoming like Christ in aspiration, meekness, lowliness, and character. This life of faithful growth is entered by urging the way heavenward instead of folding the hands and resting satisfied with a low standard, developing character after the likeness of Christ by diligent application, doing duty in obtaining an education here below, learning of Jesus, and accepting the emancipation bought by his precious blood. Those who so strive in his name and strength for full Christian development expect much, receive much, and impart much under the Holy Spirit, hold the beginning of their confidence firm unto the end, make their calling and election sure so they shall never fall, and live so that heaven declares them complete in him, with mansions prepared and education progressing through eternal ages, while those satisfied with a low standard when they might reach a higher one are weighed and found wanting.
That growth requires diligent cooperation in which the whole trust rests in Christ and completeness is found in him, not in self. Those who submit to God and obey Christ's words and honor God by obeying his commandments are complete in him, for through divine truth applied to the heart God's perfect image is reproduced in them. Their completeness means cooperating with him in the work of soul-saving and brings the highest level of Christian influence and power from above, giving grace that represents heaven's spirit and Christ's Spirit in speech and voice and attitude. It makes victory possible where temptation presses at weakest points, for those weaknesses are to be made strong, and when provoked by words silence can stop conflict sooner than an attempt to explain. Those who truly believe, confess and forsake their sins, grow more and more like Christ until heaven declares them complete in him, which is the overcoming of sin gained in this present life as the only probation for securing the eternal reward.
Heaven's Final Verdict
Completeness in Christ is the final verdict spoken at last and the most precious commendation written in the books of heaven over those who live purely growing lives. It belongs to those who partake of the divine nature escaped from corruption, put on Christ, bear God's image, and are acknowledged as fellow workers lifted from sin's low condition. It means standing on a high platform as God's husbandry and God's building, refusing frivolity, doing all work thoroughly and conscientiously, putting no rotten timbers or imperfect material into character building, and living openly before Him with whom all have to do until conduct answers to completeness in Him. It is the highest of all attainments, requiring vigilant watching against sin, sincerity and real reformation shown in purity and righteousness, truth dwelling in the heart to ennoble and sanctify the life, guilelessness as Christ was guileless, close union with Him, working to God's glory, and daily receiving His grace, made certain by Christ's sacrifice which assures victory to every striving soul who overcomes. It is grown full stature as men and women in Christ and God's verdict on those true to the Christian name, who do whatever Christ commands and are therefore counted as friends of God, who avoid entangling nonessential responsibilities that weave individual misconceptions into the work, and who give more time to what establishes, strengthens, and settles mind and heart.
It is a standing God Himself must be able to affirm, measured by what a person is and not by what he professes to be. Without the new birth no one can be counted complete in Him, and without an entire transformation of character no one will ever see God, for without it genuine religious life remains only a fable. It comes when God forms in them a character like His own perfect character, bringing the precious graces of the Spirit into daily life as the fitting up in this life for a part in the future life, so that the record in the books of heaven stands as complete. That polishing removes quarry roughness, putting away roughness of spirit, coarseness of speech, and cheapness of character, and refusing sinful habits that would spoil God's design, until the image of God in the divine similitude is borne. It means wearing the wedding garment of His righteousness woven in the heavenly loom, without which no one can enter the kingdom, and keeping those righteous garments ready.
This completeness is the preparation needed for His soon coming and what must be declared of each person at the judgment, with the daily record of life written in the books of heaven deciding whether that completeness is found. It is secured only in this probation, which is the only time to mold character after the divine model through the Son who gave Himself to redeem and purify, with no second probation after death in which to repair a failed Christian character or secure the eternal reward. Those who truly believe, confess and forsake their sins, grow more and more like Christ until heaven declares them complete in Him, overcoming sin in this present life. It is formed in character and shown in action, not in claims of spiritual knowledge or truth while cherishing pride, prejudice, or an un-Christlike spirit, but by loving God supremely and neighbor as self through His grace. Each person's own completeness is at stake rather than others' defects, requiring urging heavenward without resting on a low standard, confessing, repenting, and reaching higher now.
Watching and keeping the garments of Christ's righteous character ready for His coming and the marriage supper of the Lamb is its expression, for the clean white linen is the righteousness of the saints. Those who hope to unite with the redeemed at Christ's coming make working together with God in a life devoted to Him their one aim, and as they behold the Lord's glory the Spirit changes them from character to character into His image. Ministering angels help this fitting work for the courts of heaven, with principalities and powers in heavenly places combining to bring the heavenly atmosphere and the truth of God to bear on tempted hearts so Satan cannot disqualify souls for the place the Lord would have them fill. Reaching the highest attainments under the education of Jesus Christ, every defect is to be recognized and decisively removed and every action made an act of devotion in continuous obedience and service.
At entrance into Paradise the humble and contrite hear God's voice, sweeter than music, declare them complete, for there is but one way into the kingdom by humbling self and becoming as a little child. Then Christ's prayer to have them with Him where He is to behold His glory is answered when He Himself shows them the rich glories of His kingdom, the righteous shine forth in the kingdom of their Father, and God speaks, Ye are complete in Him. Nothing can be added to the completeness He gives, who gave His life to save sinners and is now seated with the Father on His throne, who left the royal courts to make men partakers of the divine nature escaped from corruption through lust. It holds out possibilities to be striven for with Christ as helper and assurance and no disappointment in the work, provided for those who trust Him, follow His way and heed His instruction, who shall be conformed to His likeness and filled with peace and contentment and joy and sacred love. God is faithful and will make His people complete in Him through experimental knowledge as laborers together with God, climbing to higher levels with the help of heavenly intelligences, retaining self-sacrifice, and moving bravely through all difficulties as conquerors.
Its increased capabilities and education are carried into the courts above for eternal progress and higher education there. That education is formed by the love of God and purity of soul running through the life like threads of gold and molding character after the divine similitude, gained by faithful advancement in true education. It comes as intellectual and spiritual benefits received from God are given out again to draw others to higher excellence, as work done for others' good receives the cooperation of unseen agencies, and as high aspirations are kept for righteousness, holiness, and a perfect knowledge of God. Fullness belongs individually through refining fire to those who seek by faith to share the divine nature, every provision having been made for them.
Unity Service Daily Living
To be complete in him is to be one with fellow believers and with Christ, and in Christ one with God. This oneness comes when the Holy Spirit is received and believers come together in unity and brotherly sympathy, binding their interests together in love, with barriers of selfishness removed and dividing lines of territory, color, and caste taken down in obedience to John 17. Those who truly love God have communion with Christ with hearts warmed with fervent love toward him and have the inward evidence that they are beloved of God, and God claims them and imparts special favors enabling them to be complete, which is divine power moving upon the inward man and influencing the heart so that outward conduct is shaped into Christ's pattern and convinces associates that Christ is the pattern, making them more than conquerors through him who loved them. That completeness includes sanctification through the truth by which they may be made one, lived out by giving up personal preferences and letting Christ reign in heart and mind, for clinging to individual ideas and separating over disagreements dishonors Christ and weakens spiritual life, while the power of the Word leading souls to believe and the sanctification of the truth show themselves in a life of unity and tenderness and love that binds heart to heart, not fixing affections on self but working for the good of others while receiving and imparting grace for grace.
Completeness is expressed in self-denying and self-sacrificing service that keeps individual holiness and consecration in view and through sanctification of the truth abounds in works of benevolence to the uplifting of others, with the thankful heart continually overflowing in blessing to others like a well of living water springing up into everlasting life. It includes the intelligence God gives to those who meet his requirements and serve as working agencies in the church, and it is growing up to the full stature of men and women in Christ Jesus, being fully qualified as laborers together with God, carrying the burden of souls and using every talent and capability to bring souls under Christ's banner and win them to the truth, and through earnest cultivation of the Christian graces having an influence fragrant and pure and undefiled, purified from selfishness, as a savor of life unto life. It is reaching the standard of perfection Christ died to make possible through restoration of the moral image of God lost through disobedience, which God desires for every person with all heaven working for it yet left to free choice to choose the right side, connect with heavenly agencies, and by faith adopt the reviving restoring principles that characterize Christ's life, which become in the soul as a well of water springing up unto everlasting life causing the soul to overflow with riches of grace to refresh other souls, and it is shown by good works that improve God-given talents in partnership with Christ in ministry. Being complete in him who is head of all principality and power is an offered privilege received through working with the graces of Christ in blessed service for others, for a Christian is Christlike, and if he withholds his means or service he remains incomplete, weighed in the balance and found wanting, since completeness comes from his fullness by first receiving grace, then bestowing grace, and as it is imparted grace is received more abundantly, and believers grow up into Christ and become complete in him in connection with doing the work God gives them including laboring to save those who do not know the truth.
In daily life completeness is personal religion as a principle of the heart, not a magical word or trick of the mind, revealed by deportment, words, and actions, causing growth in health of soul and body lived to the glory of God until at last perfection receives the Lord's commendation as complete in Christ through looking to Jesus only for eternal life and healing of body and soul, with the mind centered on God and not on any human being. It falls short in a weak and immature religious experience that lacks persistent effort to develop right character, and students are directed to seek their completeness in Christ as they grow in Christian life. It comes from copying Christ's character and becoming familiar with his gentleness and lowliness, shown by patience, kindness, and forbearance that prove a person is not of the world, and by learning day by day the lessons that fit for the higher school, with advancement made in this life by beholding Christ carried into the courts above when the books of heaven are opened and each overcomer is assigned a lot and place according to advancement made here. It is the most precious commendation written against a name in the books of heaven at last, belonging to those who learn in details of daily life to build for time and eternity, doing whatever is to be done carefully, neatly, exactly and with economy, consecrating every talent to Christ instead of hiding it, with worth determined by faithfulness in little things and in that which is least. It is gained by inner change rather than by seeking higher positions or diminishing others, with faithfulness in small responsibilities preparing for greater ones, and Christlike meekness, lowliness, and tested integrity are part of this growth, calling for humility before God without boasting and for putting away harshness and unchristlike attacks that grieve Christ.
For students completeness means through Christ they can reach the highest achievements and ends of learning and knowledge and science, for knowledge and education are valuable but knowing God and his will must come first, and Christ is the essential source of wisdom and of faithful study that honors God, while education alone cannot bring them to Christ but with God learning can enlarge the mind, form character, give wisdom and direction, and be used to glorify him. Every child is to be made complete in Christ, opening before each child a life involved with highest interests, through the instrumentalities God has furnished, especially earnest parental work in childhood and youth, with parents having the solemn work to train and mold character, not doing surface work, combining practical and literary training and storing the mind with knowledge, preoccupying the soil of the heart and sowing seeds of truth in earliest years, dealing tenderly and lovingly and teaching that Christ is the personal Saviour and that by giving hearts and minds to him they become his disciples. Educators in schools are to be ever learning from Christ the great Teacher who draws attention to himself, grasping every idea of advance to obtain correct development of character constantly leading to higher attainments, so that they become complete in Christ Jesus without spot or wrinkle or any such thing. Being made complete in Christ is necessary for salvation and is more than being united in church capacity, for no one is saved by church membership alone until the seal of God is placed upon him and he is made complete in Christ, which stands opposite the self-exaltation, ambition to be first, and unwillingness to be under restraint that caused Satan, once a covering cherub created for God's glory, to fall from his high position and that causes thousands to fall today.