For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority – Colossians 2:9-10 NLT
In the church at Colosse, false teachers had infiltrated the congregation bringing with them erroneous teachings and doctrines. Some Jewish believers were teaching that the observance of Jewish rules about food, the Sabbath, and key Jewish festivals were required to earn their salvation. Equally, some Gentile believers were promoting the teaching that Jesus was a higher being but not God.
But the Apostle Paul rallied to encourage the congregation to focus on the Supremacy and complete work of Jesus. In his letter, he said “…I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself. In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Colossians 2:2-3 (NLT)
In my formative and developmental years as a new believer, I looked up to people who had been Christians for a long time. I would often value and hang on to their views and opinions about God and His Word.
I often heard people testify in church meetings about how God met a need, rescued and delivered them from an addiction or other vice. Hearing these testimonies made me believe and conclude that Christianity offers certain benefits. I spent most of my growing-up years desiring and pursuing these benefits and giving less importance to developing my relationship with God.
If you were to ask believers today what Christianity offers them, apart from having a relationship with God, you’d not be surprised to hear some of their views. Views like – Christianity offers the prospect of good jobs, health, wealth, great relationships, peace of mind, success, and so on.
In other words, Christianity offers you whatever you really want and what you want to be. You could also say that it offers you whatever you desire and whatever makes you happy.
Indeed these “benefits” and more, which can be termed as “by-products” of salvation, are enjoyed by believers. In fact, people of no faith, non-believers and those who deny the existence of God would claim that they also enjoy and experience these benefits. This means that these benefits are not unique to Christians.
The simple biblical explanation and presentation of what Christianity offers is Jesus Christ, nothing more, nothing less!
In Jesus, we are complete. “So you also are complete through your union with Christ…” Colossians 2:10 (NLT)
In Jesus, we exist. In Him we have life. “For in him we live and move and exist…” Acts 17:28 (NLT)
In Jesus Christ we have our salvation and righteousness “…Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin.” 1 Corinthians 1:30 (NLT)
Christ is everything. He is all we have; He is all we can offer! In knowing and having Jesus, we have everything. Without Jesus, we have nothing!
Stay blessed,
LaraLex
Hills and Valleys 