“For in Him (Christ) dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in Him, which is the head of all principality and power.” Colossians 2:9,10
In Watchman Nee’s brief commentary on the book of Ephesians, he writes that the Christian life begins, not with standing and walking, but with sitting down. What does he mean by this? The answer to the question comes from the Christ’s final cry, and declaration from the cross: “It is finished.” In those brief words is revealed the finality, and completeness of a work of salvation for all men, that is the beginning point of all consideration of what a believer becomes when he is born again by the Spirit. Grasping what Christ has done, laying hold upon Him by faith, is key for every believer who would live in the present moment by the power of the Spirit, being an overcomer on this earth. How is this to be achieved?
The first thing to see is the magnitude, not only of the work of Christ, but Christ Himself. There must be a clear vision of who Christ is before going to grasp the enormity of His work. When Paul wrote to the Colossian believers, he gave one of the clearest, and most complete visions of the Lord Jesus Christ. He takes the reader back before the creation declaring that the Lord Jesus is “…the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of creation.” (1:15) This does not mean that Christ was created, but that being the Creator, is the firstborn in initiative and essence of His creation. He is not only that which we see and hear of Him being the Only begotten of God in His humanity, but the very beginning of creation. Paul elaborates on this by saying very clearly: “For by Him were all things created that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him and for Him.” (v.16) This “firstborn of every creature” holds the position of worship as being the One worthy to receive it, for He is the Highest in initiating creation, and bringing it to pass, even keeping it intact today. If there was ever a statement to make it clear that Christ was NOT created, but the Creator, it is in Paul’s declaration: “And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist.” (v.17)
From Christ as Creator he continues speaking of another aspect of the revelation of Christ, “…in whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins.” (1:14) Being perfect God, and perfect man, the Lord Jesus accomplished a perfect work of redemption, by which He, unchanging in His creative power, regenerates and makes to live, the sinner hopelessly and helplessly dead in his trespasses and sins. Christ has become the head of the church, the head of every believer in the His living body, so that being “…the beginning, the firstborn from the dead,” He might have the preeminence in all things. (v.18) This Creator has become the Redeemer, not only accomplishing a perfect work of redemption to save the lost sinner, but to provide him with a perfect salvation, to be worked out and lived by the faith of the Son of God. The objective truth of this work is essential to grasp if there will be the consistent appropriation of the power of it to live.
Thirdly, the ultimate objective of the unveiling of Christ as the Redeemer, and His perfect work, is revealed in that He can now present to God the Father every believer as, “…holy and unblameable and unreprovable in His sight.” (v.22) The perfect Savior of all men has accomplished a perfect work of redemption, so that He can present perfectly the redeemed child of God as perfect, accepted by the perfection of Christ by His blood.
Lastly, with the knowledge that every believer is complete in Christ (2:10), comes the promised capacity and power to believe Him for the Spirit’s present fulness.
Dear Father, Fill us with Christ. In Jesus’ name, Amen.