| The Grapevine
Number 149 September 2, 2007 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth. II Timothy 2:15 The Completed Work by Jack Northart God’s accomplishment of our redemption and salvation is so fantastic, that it is difficult for the human mind to comprehend. It is described in the seven Church Epistles in great detail, yet for many born again believers these epistles contain words that have very little significance. This is due to the fact that the Bible is not really God’s Word to them. Their basic spiritual problem is the integrity of God’s Word. However, for those who want to know the true and vital nature of everything God has made them to be in Christ, the Bible is the fountain of living waters that quenches their thirst for that knowledge. Colossians 2:10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power. We are complete in him. The word “complete” in the KJV is translated from the Greek word, pleroo, which means to be filled to complete capacity. It is used here in the intensive sense with the emphasis on the meaning of the existing results. We are completely, completely, absolutely complete in him, or “you are completely filled in him who is the head over every ruler and authority.” Ephesians 1:22-23 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. The word “filleth” is the same Greek word as in Colossians 2:10, pleroo. Christ fills all things in every believer and therefore we are completely full with no capacity for more. We are spiritually filled to the top. Everything that can be accomplished and completed for a believer is done. No more effort on anyone’s part is necessary to obtain more. We have it all! Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. We are blessed with ALL spiritual blessings. “All” means every single one. That is so fantastic! Yet to many, it adds little or no significance to what their life is all about, they still set about to prove how worthy they are to God for more of His blessings. That is not possible. There is nothing more that we can do to be more deserving because God made us complete, full and blessed with all of His blessings. All of His love has been showered upon us. All of His mercy and grace has been given freely to us. We can’t set about to gain more, because HE did all of the work in Christ to make us complete. It’s all about HIM. Ephesians 2:4-6 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. Because of His intense desire to show His mercy and love toward us, He quickened us from sin and death, and then seated us in heavenly places in Christ Jesus! That is a display of love, mercy and goodness that is hard to comprehend, yet it is so simple and plain to understand. Our response should be to accept it and believe it, and not try to top it. He did it all for us so that we can enjoy all that it entails, and walk in love toward others. Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Verse 8 says that we are not saved by “works,” meaning our own efforts or accomplishments. It was God in Christ that did all of the work for our salvation. When we truly understand all the completeness, all of the grace, mercy and love that God has showered down upon us, we will then walk in good works. What are good works? Some would say that it is things like opening doors for little old ladies. That’s not the good works that it is talking about here. We are not Boy Scouts for Christ. If we want to understand what good works are all about, we must see what God’s Word says they are. John 10:38 But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him. What works did Jesus do? He taught them about the Father, he healed the sick and cleansed the diseased. He performed miracles. These were the good works of God that he was talking about. We are filled with his complete completeness, lacking nothing of the things necessary to carry out the good works of God. John 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. Do we believe on the Lord Jesus Christ? Do we believe what he said is true? Then the works that he did, we can do, and greater works than he did. These works are what truly separate the good works of the world, from the good works of God’s Word. To walk in this love and operate the power of God that was promised and given to us, is what turns people on to the point of wanting more of what God has made available. Matthew 10:8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. Our hearts will be overjoyed when we see our completeness and the power of God in operation in our lives. Others will see it, and turn to the Lord. Matthew 9:8 But when the multitudes saw it, [healing of a man] they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men. What a tremendous time and opportunity for us to be alive! We can manifest all of God’s love and grace to others if we just realize what we have and carry it out. This is our privilege and our responsibility, for we are now complete in Him. Return to main page |