Complete in Him....

As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.  Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.—Colossians 2:6-10

In Christ, I am complete.   It IS that simple.  No worries, though!  I can complicate it!

What is not “according” to Christ in my life?  What leads me away from the fullness I have in Him?  The answer is obvious.  It is me...I cheat myself out of the fullness of Christ when I walk according to the dictates of my own heart and not according to His Spirit.  It is my “me, myself, and I” philosophy that draws me away. I take myself captive...I lead myself down wrong paths...um, no surprise there.  

1 Peter 4 comes to mind here because I really do want to live the rest of my time on this earth for the will of God...to please the One who suffered for me in the flesh. Oh, that it would be no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me!  

Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. 3 For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries.—1 Peter 4:1-3

If then, I want to be armed with the mind of Christ, I need to disarm and despoil me of me.  “I” need to die so Christ can live through me.  How do I do this?  

Scripture tells me...

Blessed is the man

Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,

Nor stands in the path of sinners,

Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;

But his delight is in the law of the Lord,

And in His law he meditates day and night.

He shall be like a tree

Planted by the rivers of water,

That brings forth its fruit in its season,

Whose leaf also shall not wither;

And whatever he does shall prosper.

Unless the law had been my delight, I should have perished in my affliction.--Psalm 119:92

Beloved, don't let anyone or anything lead you away from Christ and the truth of the Gospel.  You are complete in Him.  He is all you need because in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.  Fill your heart...the very center and seat of not only your physical life but your spiritual one as well...with His word. 

Out of your heart springs the issues of life.  Out of the abundance of your heart your mouth speaks.  As a man thinks in his heart so is he.   Let His word be your delight.  Abide in it.  Meditate on it.  It is His truth that will enable you to walk in liberty.  It is His truth that will break the bars of iron and make the crooked places straight in your life.  

And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever.--Isaiah 32:17