Complete Not Captive

Paul’s letter to the Colossians urgently encourages the church in Colossae to remember their connection to Christ, where the fullness of God lives. Christ, the head of the Church. Christ, the one who aids God in reconciling all to Himself. Paul wants the Colossians to know that they are complete in Christ. Yet, many of them are living captive to deceptive philosophies and empty practices. A growing number were fascinated by a syncretic mix of following Jesus, rules from Judaism, gnostic religion, and “the elemental spirits of the universe.” They cheated themselves out of freedom in Christ. Instead of being complete, they let themselves be captive. As we think about our faith in Jesus, is it marked by full dependence on Christ? Of course, us being complete in Christ doesn’t mean, we’ve arrived. Instead, it means we can grow in the one who completes us vs. be distracted by a need for empty rules and habits that move us further away from Christ even when their lure of safety, certainty, or spiritual power draw us in. This Sunday, let’s dwell on the only one who offers completeness instead of more captivity.