We feel we lack something. It’s a common feeling, seemingly endemic to human nature, something is lacking – in us, in the world, in others. We don’t feel we have ‘made it’ and therefore we strive to find a fullness we currently lack.
And many Christians feel like this in their walk with God. We might know we’re Christians but we feel there is something ‘more’ to be had – there is a greater fullness to be experienced, or a greater level of Christianity which we must strive to attain.
Something more than Christ?
The Church in Colosse knew this feeling well – and were being tempted to find something else, something ‘more’ than Christ, to discover fullness. They were on the verge of being “deceived by fine sounding arguments” (2:4) and being taken “captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition … rather than on Christ.” (2:8)
As we read through the letter we find three heresies, that seem to be tempting the Colossians to look for a greater fullness outside of Christ:
The Colossians were not tempted to reject Jesus outright, but rather if they wanted ‘fullness’ (a crucial and repeated word in the letter) they needed to look somewhere other than Christ, either to pagan, mystical experience or Jewish laws and customs.
Fullness in Christ
Paul masterfully dispels that:
“For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness.”
Colossians 2:9-10
The Christian has everything they need – fullness – in Christ, because Christ is completely full of God. There is nothing else that needs to be added.
Deeper into Christ
That doesn’t mean we stand still. But instead of looking somewhere other than Christ for fullness we go deeper into him, in whom are “hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (2:3). The summary verse of the whole letter is 2:6-7:
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
In Jesus we have all we need for every aspect and sphere of life – knowing him transforms everything we do and every relationship we have (3:5-4:6). Those who have their roots in Christ are not only ‘full’ but actually ‘overflowing with thankfulness’ (another big theme of the letter, see 1:3, 1:12, 1:24, 2:7, 3:15-17, 4:2).
Paul knew fullness in Christ – even in prison
Paul was in a Roman prison as he wrote the letter (4:18), and yet his life is an epitome of someone who has put down roots deep into Christ and who allows his circumstances to drive him deeper still. Even though Paul himself is in quarantine and unable to move about freely, there is no bitterness, self-pity, anxiety, boredom or stagnation in him. Paul is full of Christ and therefore overflowing with thankfulness. Even in prison, Paul experiences a fullness in Christ so is able to grow and bear fruit.
Summer & Vision Preaching Series
Here is our preaching series over the summer, and then into our vision series in September
- 21 Jul – Colossians 1:1-14 (Fullness in Christ)
- 28 Jul – Colossians 1:15-23 (The supremacy of Christ)
- 04 Aug – Colossians 2:1-15 (Rooted in Christ)
- 11 Aug – Colossians 2:16-23 (Complete in Christ)
- 18 Aug – Colossians 3:1-16 (Transformed in Christ)
- 25 Aug – Colossians 3:17-4:1 (Everyday Living for Christ)
- 01 Sep – Colossians 1:24-29 (Vision 1: Making disciples of Christ)
- 08 Sep – Colossians 4:2-6 (Vision 2: Provoking questions for Christ)
- 15 Sep – Colossians 4:7-18 (Vision 3: Coworkers for Christ)
Resources
- The Bible Project Overview
- TGC free online commentary
- Colossians for You (Mark Meynell)
- Bible Speaks Today Commentary (Dick Lucas)
- NIV Commentary (David Garland)
- Tyndale Commentary (Tom Wright)
Thanks for sharing this message, Steve!