Putting Christ First: Fullness in Christ: Colossians 2:9-15

Putting Christ First: Fullness in Christ

Colossians 2:9-15

Fullness in Christ (v. 9-10)

• Paul asserts that in Christ alone dwells the fullness of God (v. 9; see 1:19)
  • Not in some temple
  • Nor dispersed amongst various semi-divine beings (v. 10b)
• Thus, when we find our lives in Christ, we are filled too
  • Paul is countering a claim of false teachers that we need more than just Jesus
  • All that we can know or experience of God is therefore found in our relationship with Jesus
    • We need no other experience from any other source
    • For Jesus, as God, is over them all (v. 10b)

 

Inclusion in Christ (v. 11-12)

• Paul goes on to describe how we have been made full in Christ
• By circumcision: A symbol of inclusion into God’s people
  • Not the physical rite
  • But a spiritual circumcision of our hearts ( 10:16; 30:6; Jer. 4:4; Rom 2:29)
• By baptism: A symbol of inclusion into Christ’s death
  • Sharing in His burial
  • In order to share in His resurrection

 

Alive in Christ (v. 13-14)

• Paul describes our need for death & rebirth
• Before Jesus, our sinfulness left us:
  • Both its natural result: dead
  • And its underlying root: rebellious (“uncircumcised flesh”)
• But through Christ, God has made us alive
  • By forgiving our sins
    • By legally fulfilling the punishment that our sins deserved on the Cross

 

Victory in Christ (v. 15)

• Through His death and resurrection, Jesus not only paid for our sins
• But claimed victory over all rebellious powers
  • Both human and spiritual
• Thus, we have nothing to fear from them

 

 

So What?

• Do we find our lives in Christ?
  • As Redeemer from sin
  • As Conqueror over our rebellious hearts
• Are we living out of that truth?

 

Meditation Verse: Colossians 2:13