complete in christ
DESCRIPTION
We live in a world that is in a sad spiritual state. Religious confusion abounds, churches are hemorrhaging members at alarming rates and the role God plays in our lives is being reduced to virtual insignificance. There is a need for a spiritual revival, a return to the high calling of God and a reestablishment of the “living hope” that only God can provide (1 Peter 1:3). Yet one might logically ask: “Where do I begin?” If there is a genuine desire to return to God, or to strengthen a weakened relationship with Him, what is that first step? Fortunately, this book provides the answer. Glen Elliott takes us on a spiritual journey that will bring us home – a home in which we are truly “complete in Christ.” He addresses the logical starting point – Jesus, the Son of God. He doesn't pretend that the journey is without pitfalls. This work is well organized and easy to follow. To order email [email protected] – www.YeomenPress.comTRANSCRIPT
Complete
in
Christ
Our Journey to Spiritual Maturity
By Glen Elliott
Yeomen Press
Box 281
Walton KS 67151
www.yeomenpress.com
Internet sites cited may have changed or been removed. The
author has no control over those changes.
Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD
BIBLE®,
© Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973,
1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Used by permission
www.Lockman.org
Copyright © 2014 by Yeomen Press
Box 281
Walton KS 67151
ISBN 978-0-9890872-3-0
Cover design by Jim L. Friesen
Printed in the U.S.A. by Mennonite Press, Newton, Kansas
DEDICATION
To Colleen, the love of my life who, through the years,
has stood by my side warming my heart with her steadfast
devotion, loving affection, and the reverberating echo of her
laughter.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to thank all the elders under whom it has
been my privilege to minister and all those members with
whom it has been my pleasure to serve the Lord. Your grace
and love have been a great source of encouragement.
But, most of all, I am thankful to the Father in heaven who
graciously extends the free gift of completeness in Christ. To
Him belongs all glory both now and through eternity.
Glen Elliott
Foreword
We frequently hear the phrase “get your act together!” or
“I’m getting my act together!” While such is a noble concept,
there is never a more important area to “get together” than
one’s own spiritual walk.
We live in a world that is in a sad spiritual state. Religious
confusion abounds, churches are hemorrhaging members at
alarming rates and the role God plays in our lives is being
reduced to virtual insignificance. There is a need for a
spiritual revival, a return to the high calling of God and a
reestablishment of the “living hope” that only God can provide
(1 Peter 1:3). The all-important questions are asked in this
book: “Will we accept the challenge and aim for the best that
God has for us in terms of spiritual growth and maturity? Or
will we settle for something less – something comfortable or
convenient?” (p. 69).
Yet one might logically ask: “Where do I begin?” If there is
a genuine desire to return to God, or to strengthen a
weakened relationship with Him, what is that first step?
Fortunately, this book provides the answer.
Glen Elliott takes us on a spiritual journey that will bring
us home – a home in which we are truly “complete in Christ.”
He addresses the logical starting point – Jesus, the Son of
God. He doesn’t pretend that the journey is without pitfalls.
He devotes considerable time to hindrances (chapter 9) and
how to “hold on” (chapter 11). This work is well organized
and easy to follow. It is clearly founded on the Word of God.
Glen establishes his points with clarity and gives the biblical
verses to back up what he is saying. After each chapter he
provides discussion questions that will deepen one’s
understanding of the important principles presented. More
importantly, the questions will encourage us to make
necessary changes in our own spiritual walk. Biblical
references are provided with the questions to make sure our
answers are founded in the inspired word of God.
Glen is wholly qualified to take us on this journey. He has
prepared himself for this task and has devoted his life to
ministry. He has the educational background and the
experience needed to write a book like this. He has
experienced the ups and downs in his own life, and has
helped many people find their way back to God.
Denny Petrillo, Ph.D.
President
Bear Valley Bible Institute of Denver
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter 1 – Picking Up the Pieces ................................. p. 1
Confidence
Concentration
Constancy
Chapter 2 – Getting it Back Together ............................. p. 15
The Right Piece--Christ
The Right Place—in You
The Right Prospect—The Hope of Glory
Chapter 3 – We Proclaim Him: Our Message ............... p. 29
What It Means to Proclaim Jesus
What Proclaiming Christ Does Not Mean
Chapter 4 – We Proclaim Him: Our Method ................. p. 43
We Proclaim Christ Universally
We Must Proclaim Christ Didactically
We Must Proclaim Christ Practically
Chapter 5 – We Proclaim Him: Our Purpose ................ p. 59
The Presentation
The Product
Chapter 6 – We Proclaim Him: Our Work ...................... p. 73
The Greatest Purpose
The Greatest Persistence
The Greatest Power
Chapter 7 – Christ: Our Teacher .................................... p. 87
Direction
Decision
Development
Chapter 8 – Christ: Our Measure of Completeness ..... p. 99
An Ongoing Process
A Worthwhile Objective
An Every Member Responsibility
Chapter 9 – Hindrances to Completeness ..................... p. 117
Past: We Have Died to Sin
Present: We Have Laid Aside the Old Self
Future: Wrath or the Kingdom?
Chapter 10 – Companions of Completeness ................ p. 131
Virtues that Identify Us with Christ
Virtues that Show Appreciation
Virtues that Relate to His Image in Us
Chapter 11– Holding On to Completeness .................... p. 145
The Crowning Virtue
The Compelling Virtue
The Completing Virtue
Chapter 12 – Filled Up and Ready to Go ....................... p. 159
Filled
Filled with Knowledge
Filled to Overflowing
Chapter 13 – A Life Complete in Christ ......................... p. 171
Walk Worthy of the Lord
Please Him in Every Way
Addendum – A Church Complete in Christ .................... p. 199
A Teaching Church
A Working Church
A Growing Church
INTRODUCTION
Drawn to quick fixes, instant results, and painless make-
overs, many have substituted shadow for substance. But
there are no short-cuts to spiritual maturity. The deepest
longing of the soul is met by Christ. In Him we are complete.
Counterfeit Christianity is measured, not only by its departure
from divine truth, but also by its heartless disconnect from
everyday living. Without spiritually mature members, the
church will be largely ineffective in sustaining its mission. The
good news is that we can be complete in Christ even as we
work toward spiritual maturity!
Learn how you may experience the joy of completeness in
Christ. By exploring the message of Paul to the church at
Colossae, discover the true purpose and meaning of living for
Jesus. By examining various aspects of completeness in
Christ, this book will take you closer and closer to Jesus as
you learn to appreciate His greatness and the power of His
word. Each chapter is followed by questions designed for
further study or group discussion.
Drink deeply from the fountain that extols the greatness
of our Lord Jesus Christ. May God bless you in your journey to
completeness in Christ.
Glen Elliott
A TIMELY WORD FROM AN ANCIENT CITY
All that remains of Colossae today is an unexcavated
mound in southwest Turkey. But, at one time, Colossae was a
city of some importance. Located in the beautiful Lycus River
Valley along a major east/west trade route, from Ephesus to
the Euphrates, Colossae was mentioned by Herodotus, the
first secular world historian, as a “great city of Phrygia.”
Cyrus’ famous general Xenophon described Colossae as a city
“well-inhabited, pleasant, and large” (Barnes). However, by
the first century, Strabo described it as a “small town”
(O’Brien xxvi).
There are a number of reasons for the fading away of
Colossae. Perhaps it is best summarized by saying that, with
the rise of its two sister cities in the region, Laodecia and
Heiropolis, Colossae slipped into relative insignificance, and
by 400 A.D., no longer existed as a city (Robertson 3). J.B.
Lightfoot described Colossae as “the least important church
to which any epistle of St. Paul is addressed” (16).
Colossae was located in the Lycus Valley near the head
waters of the Lycus River at a place where the Lycus River at
one time had disappeared into the earth only to re-emerge
about half a mile downstream where it eventually flowed into
the Meander River and then into the Aegean Sea. The site is
surrounded by mountains. Mt. Cadmus several miles to the
south rises some 8,435 feet above the city. Another even
higher mountain rises to the north. The Lycus River brought
great wealth to the tri-city area in that it left behind beautiful
deposits of calcium, calcium phosphate, and limestone.
These deposits were used to produce dye to color the wool of
sheep raised in the area. The name of the city itself,
Colossae, may come from Colossus, perhaps, referring to a
large statue or mineral deposit in the area. Or, it could derive
from Colossinus which describes the purple color used in
dyeing their wool (Olbricht 10).
As wealthy as this region was, it was also volcanic and
prone to earthquakes. In fact, within a few years of receiving
this letter, the region suffered a major earthquake, destroying
the cities. Laodecia refused the help of the State and rebuilt
using its own resources. Perhaps, this sheds a bit of light on
what Jesus said to the church at Laodecia in the latter part of
the first century when He accused them of saying, “I am rich,
and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing…” (Rev.
3:17). Laodecia was a wealthy and politically significant city—
eventually becoming the capital city of the province.
Across the river, about six miles away, was Heiropolis.
This was a religious center and located in the midst of hot
baths of mineral water, the vapors of which were believed to
have healing powers. Both cities were about 12 miles
downstream from Colossae and would have shared similar
circumstances in the first century.
It is possible that the churches of this region were planted
as a result of the missionary work of the apostle Paul in the
city of Ephesus on his third missionary journey. The inspired
record does not mention a stop in Colossae. In fact, many
believe that Colossians 2:1 argues against Paul having done
mission work in Colossae. That verse says, “For I want you to
know how great a struggle I have on your behalf and for those
who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not
personally seen my face.” Paul’s mode of operation, after
having been put out of the synagogue at Ephesus is described
in Acts 19:10 where we learn that he spoke in the school of
Tyrannus “for two years, so that all who lived in Asia heard the
word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.” Ephesus became
an evangelistic center from which congregations were planted
throughout the whole region. Rehearsing his work at Ephesus
to their elders, Paul said, “You yourselves know, from the first
day that I set foot in Asia, how I was with you the whole
time…” (Acts 20:18). And then, in verse 31, he adds:
“Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day
for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each
one with tears.” There seems to have been a three-year
period of uninterrupted work in the city of Ephesus.
It is possible that Paul started the work in Colossae.
Describing the beginning of the Third Missionary Journey, Acts
18:23 says he left Antioch “and passed successively through
the Galatian region and Phrygia, strengthening all the
disciples.” Although many believe the apostle traveled
through the northern part of Phrygia, some argue that he may
have taken the southern route and, therefore, may have come
through Colossae. However, his activity during this period of
time consisted of “strengthening all the disciples.” There
were Jews from Phrygia in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost.
These may have had a part in bringing the gospel back to
their homeland.
However, it is more commonly believed, and for good
reason, that Epaphras brought them the gospel. Paul spoke
of their having “learned” the truth from Epaphras, “our
beloved fellow bond-servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ
on our behalf” (Col. 1:7). It is possible that Epaphras was
converted by Paul in Ephesus and then was sent back home
to preach the gospel. Paul describes him in chapter 4:12 as
“one of your number.” Apparently, his concern for their
spiritual well-being as well as the well-being of those in
Laodicea and Heiropolis (vs. 13), caused him to travel 1,000
miles to Rome where Paul had been imprisoned. He had
informed Paul of their situation and some very real threats
from a particular kind of false teaching that was beginning to
infiltrate the church. Paul sent this letter, along with a letter
to Philemon, with another faithful and beloved brother by the
name of Tychicus who would bring them up to speed about
Paul’s circumstances (Col. 4:7). It is believed to have been
written about 61 to 63 A.D.
The purpose for which the book of Colossians was written
had to do with arming the brethren in Colossae against the
aforementioned error. Normally referred to as the Colossian
Heresy, volumes have been written arguing various theories
about its identity. Some suggest that it is Gnosticism or at
least what would later become full-blown Gnosticism. Others
identify it with some form of Jewish influence, perhaps that of
the Essenes. Still others see some mystical aspects from the
religions of the indigenous people of the region, likely adopted
as a result of teachings that made their way west long ago
from ancient Babylon. Some argue that someone had arrived
with a peculiar admixture of Jewish tradition and Greek
philosophy. It is likely, in my opinion, that this heresy that
threatened Colossae was a mixture of all these things.
Syncretism is “the attempt or tendency to combine or
reconcile differing beliefs, as in philosophy or religion” (The
American Heritage Dictionary). Syncretic religion was
commonly practiced in the world into which Christ came.
Because you worshipped Artemis of the Ephesians did not
mean your devotion to her was exclusive. You might also
worship Apollos or Cybele (regional gods of the Lycus Valley).
Like those in Athens, the inhabitants of the Lycus Valley, were
always looking for the newest idea or philosophy that they
could bring into their expanding system of religious beliefs.
And, because of their geographic location on a major
east/west trade route, they were exposed to a wide-range of
teachings.
Christianity, however, is exclusive. There is “salvation in
no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has
been given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts
4:12). Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life;
no one comes to the Father but through Me” (Jn. 14:6).
Christians belonged to “the way” not to “a way” (Acts 9:2).
How are we influenced by syncretism? Morals become
relative. “Your” moral system plus “my” moral system
becomes “our” moral system regardless of how different they
might be in their specifics. Situation ethics. The absence of
moral restraint. Anything goes. If it feels good, do it. In
government, syncretism is one world government—espoused
by some as the way to get along. In religion, syncretism is one
world religion—one way is as good as another. Tolerance is
the gospel. Truth is the victim. Jesus said, “You shall know
the truth and the truth will set you free” (Jn. 8:32). And then,
He prayed, “Your word is truth” (Jn. 17:17). Are we as
removed from the religious climate of first century Colossae
as we think?
People today come to Christ from all sorts of
backgrounds. But, when we come to Christ, we must not
bring the world or the teachings of the world with us. In a
word, the answer for the problem in Colossae was “Christ.”
“For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and
in Him you have been made complete…” (Col. 2:9-10). All we
need is Jesus. He is the answer and we must leave the world
and its philosophies behind as we follow Him.
Glen Elliott
Chapter 1 – Picking Up the Pieces
1
CHAPTER ONE
PICKING UP THE PIECES
How do we effectively develop and nurture the faith of
Christians so as to make them complete in Christ? For years, those
in positions of leadership in the church have struggled to find ways
of helping members reach spiritual maturity. Many congregations
struggle so mightily to hold on to their own members that little
resources are left for evangelistic outreach. What we have
discovered is that spiritual maturity or completeness within the
membership of a congregation is essential to sustained growth.
Completeness in Christ is the subject of Paul’s discussion in
Colossians 1:28-29 where he writes: “We proclaim Him,
admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so
that we may present every man complete in Christ. For this purpose
also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works
within me.” Following the apostle’s example, we must develop an
appreciation for the fact that spiritual maturity or completeness is
found only in Jesus Christ.
We might illustrate what it means to be complete in Christ by
comparing our journey to spiritual maturity to putting together a
puzzle. Imagine a puzzle patterned after the likeness of a beautiful
painting. The picture on the box is breathtaking. So, with a little
encouragement, we make the purchase and bring it home. But,
when we get home and open up the box to pour out its contents on
the kitchen table, we are not nearly as excited as we once might
have been. We are struck by how this disorganized mess has such
little resemblance to the desired potential as illustrated by the
picture on the outside of the box. But, if puzzles came already
assembled, they would not be called puzzles. They would be called
posters or pictures. Be that as it may, some folks are thrilled by the
challenge of putting a puzzle together and then marveling at the
finished product.
When we become Christians, our goal is to be like Jesus in
word, thought, and deed. This might be compared to the beautiful
Complete in Christ - Elliott
2
picture on the outside of the box. But, what we discover is that in
many ways we resemble a pile of disorganized pieces of a puzzle.
All the pieces are there—they just need to be put in the right places.
That is a challenge which must be met through spiritual growth. In
fact, it is a challenge that will occupy the rest of our lives—a
challenge that can only be achieved with the help and guidance of
the Lord. But, when the pieces are properly placed, we begin to
grow more and more into the image of our Lord Jesus Christ. And,
to the extent that we resemble His image, we grow in our ability to
encourage one another and lead souls to Jesus—thus contributing
to the fulfillment of God’s mission for His church.
It all sounds quite simple. So, why don’t we all just get busy
and put the puzzle together? Well, it’s really not quite as easy as it
sounds because there are many pieces and only one place for each
piece. Furthermore, the devil is not just going to stand idly by while
we get the pieces of our lives put back together. He’s going to
distract, distort, and discourage every step along the way. But we
must not be “ignorant of his schemes” so that he might not gain
advantage over us (2 Cor. 2:11). The devil will seek to distract us by
drawing our attention away from the work God has called us to do in
cooperating with Him to build our lives after the image of Christ (2
Cor. 3:17-18). The devil will also work at distorting the image we
are seeking to reproduce by adding to or taking away from the
pattern God has given in Christ (Rev. 22:18-19). And finally, the
devil will seek to discourage us by convincing us that our work is in
vain and that our efforts are wasted in the Lord (Gal. 6:9-10). The
net effect is this: while we are trying to put our lives together, the
devil is trying to tear them apart. He is stealing pieces out of the
puzzle and replacing them with pieces that do not belong.
Therefore, we must “be on the alert” for our “adversary, the devil,
prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1
Pet. 5:8). But God says, “Resist the devil and he will flee from you”
(Jas. 4:7).
So, what do we need to put this puzzle together? We need
confidence, concentration, and constancy. With these three
essentials in place, we will be prepared to make great strides
toward spiritual maturity.
Chapter 1 – Picking Up the Pieces
3
CONFIDENCE
In a familiar passage related to Christian confidence, the
apostle Paul said, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens
me” (Ph. 4:13). These are powerful words—words that should be
repeated over and over again as we search for strength to put
together the broken and fragmented pieces of our lives. If such
confidence calls for anything, it calls for faith in Jesus Christ.
To illustrate our need for faith, imagine that instead of a 1,000
piece puzzle, we are faced with the daunting task of putting
together a 10,000 piece puzzle. Would that affect our level of
confidence? Suppose things were taken a step further and that,
instead of having a picture of what the finished product should look
like, the pieces of our puzzle were all the same color? Surely, that
would have some influence on our level of confidence! But then,
suppose that this 10,000 piece, single-color puzzle was comprised
of pieces that had no recognizable pattern, but that each of the
10,000 pieces were unique, like 10,000 snowflakes falling on a
December morning. What then? How much confidence could we
have in our ability to put it all together? I’m afraid that most of us
would say, “Forget it! I’m not wasting my time trying to put that
puzzle together!” But, what if our lives depended on it? What then?
We simply must come to understand that there are some things
that are humanly impossible no matter how hard we try or how
many hours we put into the task. Putting the pieces of our lives
together is not possible by placing our confidence in human
wisdom. Jeremiah prayed, “I know, O Lord, that a man’s way is not
in himself, nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps” (Jer.
10:23). Solomon observed that “There is a way which seems right to
a man, but its end is the way of death” (Prov. 14:12). God's word
reveals that we are not smart enough to put our own lives back
together much less help somebody else put their life in order.
Confidence cannot be based on human wisdom.
Neither should confidence be based on human righteousness.
Such righteousness will not help us put our lives back together.
Every time we sin, we mess up the Master’s design like splotches of
ink spilled on fabric set aside by a seamstress who is planning to
Complete in Christ - Elliott
4
make a new garment. How can such fabric be cleansed so as to
make it suitable for the work of the seamstress? Because of sin, we
are faced with a similar dilemma. Paul identified the reason why
relying on human righteousness is an exercise in futility when he
said, “…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom.
3:23). It would be foolish to assert otherwise. The apostle John
said that if someone should claim to have no sin, then he or she is
either a liar or self-deceived (1 Jn. 1:8, 10).
One of the clearest examples of the futility of placing our
confidence in human righteousness is found in the story of the Rich
Young Ruler. This young man came to Jesus one day asking,
“Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may obtain eternal life?”
(Mt. 19:16). Jesus asked him if he was keeping the
commandments of the Lord (vss. 17-19). Or, as we might ask, “Do
you have all your pieces in place?” He answered in the affirmative,
saying, “All these things I have kept from my youth” (Lk. 18:21).
Yet, he knew that there was something missing and so he asked,
“…what am I still lacking?” (Mt. 19:20). How sad to discover that,
after we have worked so hard to put all the pieces together, we are
very much like this young man with whom Jesus held this
conversation—that we are still incomplete! This man’s sad state of
affairs began with misplaced confidence in himself. Spiritually
speaking, we simply cannot pull ourselves up by our own
bootstraps. We can never be good enough to get it all together by
ourselves.
Finally, we should observe that putting the pieces of our life
together is not possible by placing our confidence in material
possessions. Paul told Timothy to instruct the rich “not to be
conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches” (1 Tim.
6:17). When someone claims to have it all together, what do they
mean? Does a good job, a beautiful house, a nice car, and
expensive clothing mean that we have all the pieces in place? No,
that’s just the outside. It says nothing about what is on the inside.
These things are temporary, not eternal. So, whether we are talking
about human wisdom, human achievement, or human possession—
we cannot put the pieces of our life back together by placing
confidence in our own strength.
Chapter 1 – Picking Up the Pieces
5
Suppose we go back into the room we described earlier—the
room with the 10,000 piece puzzle. How are we going to have any
confidence that we can get it put together? We don’t know what it
is supposed to look like. We have no idea how the pieces fit
together. So, no matter how hard we work, we will not be able to
make any real progress. But what if a “master puzzle designer”
showed up? What if we found out about his power to put puzzles
together? What if we heard others talk about how he had helped
them put their pieces in place? Would we ask him for help—
especially if our lives depended on it? In such a case, wouldn’t
getting that puzzle together become a matter of faith? Would we
trust this man’s advice? Would we follow his instructions? Of
course we would. Why? Because of our confidence that he knows
what he is doing and our awareness that we do not.
We have something infinitely more complex than 10,000
uniquely shaped pieces of a single-color puzzle to put together.
And, it is not our lives but our souls that hang in the balance.
Without the Lord, we are clueless when it comes to putting our
spiritual lives back together. Like “Humpty Dumpty” in the nursery
rhyme: “All the king's horses and all the king's men, couldn’t put
Humpty Dumpty back together again.” Where then is our
confidence that we can put our lives back together? Our confidence
is in the Great Physician who has proven, over and over again, that
He has the power to put lives back together? “It is no secret what
God can do; what He’s done for others, He’ll do for you” (Hamblen).
It really is a matter of faith. Paul said, “…we walk by faith, not by
sight” (2 Cor. 5:7). So, where is our confidence? Our confidence is
in Christ so that, with Paul, we may say, “I can do all things through
Him who strengthens me” (Ph. 4:13).
CONCENTRATION
Along with confidence, a second essential we must have in
order to develop spiritual maturity is concentration. Rather than
focusing on the things in which he had formerly boasted, Paul said,
“I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid
hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having
Complete in Christ - Elliott
6
laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and
reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for
the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Ph. 3:12-14). If
there is one thing we can say about the apostle Paul, it is that he
was focused. He had the ability to concentrate on what he was
doing and where he was going. Is it any wonder why Paul was
arguably the most successful and influential Christian missionary in
the history of the world?
The reason so many are making little or no progress in putting
their lives back together is that they are not concentrating properly
or are concentrating on the wrong things. Too many Christians
exhibit characteristics of what we might call Spiritual Attention
Deficit Disorder. Can you imagine the success we might have
putting any puzzle together if we were distracted, first by one thing
and then by another? Our self-talk might go something like this: “I
need to get a glass of water…You know, I’m a little hungry, so I think
I’ll go into the kitchen and make myself a little sandwich….Wait just
a minute! I don’t want to miss that ballgame. I better turn on the TV
so I can watch it while I work on this puzzle…Oh, I need to check the
thermostat—it seems a little hot in here…I almost forgot, I better go
make that telephone call…If I don’t do it now, it may be next week
before I can get the lawn mowed…And, what about the fertilizer? I
sure need to get it down before it rains…Now, what was I supposed
to be doing?”
Very little meaningful progress is made toward spiritual maturity
without concentration. Whereas confidence requires faith in Christ,
concentration requires focus on Christ. Paul said, “let us run with
endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus,
the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him
endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the
right hand of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:1-2). We must fix our eyes
on Jesus and concentrate on Him. This is how Paul succeeded in
his ministry. He said, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain”
(Ph. 1:21). Writing to the Corinthian church, he said, “…I
determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and
Him crucified” (1 Cor. 2:2). Oh, that we might concentrate on Jesus!
Chapter 1 – Picking Up the Pieces
7
We could save ourselves a lot of pain and heartache if we could
just keep our focus on Jesus. In our English New Testament, anxiety
or worry is often taken from a word that literally means to be drawn
in two directions. W.E. Vine goes on to include distraction in his list
of possible translations (89). Anxiety is the result of losing our
focus. James spoke of the double-minded man, unstable in all his
ways, who “ought not to expect to receive anything from the Lord”
(Jas. 1:7). God requires a focused faith. Lack of focus is what
caused Peter to sink in the troubled sea. At the invitation of the
Lord, Peter climbed out of the boat and began to walk to Jesus on
the surface of the water (Mt. 14:29). But, when he was distracted
by the wind, “he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried
out, ‘Lord, save me!’” (Mt. 14:39). It was Peter’s lack of focus—
allowing himself to be distracted—that caused him to lose faith and
become overwhelmed by fear.
We, too, must keep our concentration focused on Jesus. Like a
laser-guided missile locked on its target, we need to be focused on
Jesus. Paul said, “Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ,
keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right
hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things
that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with
Christ in God. When Christ who is our life, is revealed, then you also
will be revealed with Him in glory” (Col. 3:1-4). That is focus. In a
discussion regarding things that distract us to worry and anxiety,
Jesus said, “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and
all these things will be added to you” (Mt. 6:33).
While confidence has to do with trust in the One who alone is
able to give us the strength to pick up the pieces and put it all
together in Christ; concentration has to do with being able to focus
on the One who must be our number one priority—the goal that we
are trying to achieve in putting it all together in the first place.
In putting a puzzle together, where do we start? Most of us
start with what is easiest—the outside edge of the puzzle. These
pieces are easy to identify because they all have at least one
straight edge. Imagine visiting someone with a reputation of being
obsessed with puzzles. Arriving at his home, we discover that he
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has a huge metal building in back of his house dedicated to his
hobby. Invited to take a look, we enter the building to find that
there are many tables set up throughout the building. On each of
these tables is a puzzle—puzzles of all kinds, beautiful puzzles
scattered throughout the building. But, making our way through the
building, we begin to notice that the only thing that has been done
to any of these puzzles is that the outside edges have been put
together. The rest of each puzzle is just lying there, piled up in the
center of the table. What kind of person obsesses about puzzles
and then only finishes the outside edges? Puzzles which might
have been beautiful works of art hardly resemble the picture on the
box. Our disappointment is pronounced in that this so called
“expert” has done only that which was easy.
Here’s the point we need to grasp: while we may begin ordinary
puzzles from the outside edges and work in—this is not the way we
put together the spiritual puzzle of our life. Picking up the pieces of
our life and building a likeness of Jesus in our soul begins on the
inside. Our concentration is on Jesus who is meant to be the center
and focal point of our life. And, as we keep our focus on Him, all the
other pieces of our life begin to fall into their rightful place.
Misplaced priorities keep us from being complete in Christ.
They distract us from the One who is to be our true focus. They
cause us to be merely shells of what we ought to be and, as a result,
when people look at us, they cannot see Jesus at all because we
have merely put together the outside edge. We have done only that
which was easiest. People are looking for Jesus in us. Let’s not
disappoint them. Remember that Jesus is in the middle—in the
center of the puzzle. That is where we need to be concentrating our
efforts. The outside edge is important; but not to the neglect of the
weightier matters of the heart. We must keep our concentration on
Jesus.
CONSTANCY
Finally, in addition to confidence and concentration, we must
also possess constancy if we are to pick up the pieces and put
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together the puzzle of our lives. As the Hebrew writer addressed the
hardships and perils that faced his readers, he also emphasized the
reward, saying, “For you have need of endurance, so that when you
have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised”
(Heb. 10:36). Oh, how we need to be constant! Jesus commanded
His disciples to be “faithful until death” (Rev. 2:10). Paul
admonishes us to be “steadfast, immovable, always abounding in
the work of the Lord…” (1 Cor. 15:58). Constancy is a rare but
sorely-needed virtue.
When we think about being complete in Christ—taking that
journey to spiritual maturity—it sounds like a long-term project. We
cannot just take a couple of classes or listen to a series of sermons
and be done with it. It is a lifetime pursuit that we never fully
complete this side of heaven. In this a paradox is encountered in as
much as there is also a sense in which every Christian who is
walking in the light (1 Jn. 1:7) and standing in the grace of God
(Rom. 5:1) is complete in Christ (Col. 1:28). However, every
Christian who is walking in the light and standing in the grace of God
will also be growing into the likeness of Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 3:18; 1
Pet. 2:1-3; 3:18). So, there must be a sense in which we are
complete even while we are growing—even though we are in many
ways quite incomplete although walking in the light and standing in
the grace of God. Perhaps, that is why the Bible attributes our
completeness to being in Christ Jesus (Col. 1:28). So, it seems that,
while we are growing toward spiritual maturity, there is still much we
lack; but, by the grace of God we are yet complete in Christ and
justified by His blood. It is precisely when we stop growing as
Christians that we step out of the light and away from Him who
alone puts all the pieces in the right places.
Keeping all this in mind, remember that there is also a practical
level of spiritual maturity that is measured by the decisions we
make and the things we are able to do with the help of the Lord.
“By reason of time,” the Hebrew author said, “you ought to be
teachers” (Heb. 5:12). In other words, they ought to have
developed spiritually to the point where they could teach others.
However, they were still babes in Christ and in need of someone to
feed them the milk of the word. They had not practiced the things
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they had learned and, as a result, were stunted in their spiritual
growth. This practical maturity will be the subject under discussion
in the chapters that follow in this book.
At one time or another, most of us have felt stuck in our
spiritual growth. Spiritual growth is not something that can be
forced or coerced. We do not know why God’s word germinates and
grows in one heart and dies in another. Jesus said, “The kingdom of
God is like a man who casts seed upon the soil; and he goes to bed
at night and gets up by day, and the seed sprouts and grows—how,
he himself does not know” (Mk. 4:26-27). Perhaps, it is best to give
up on speculation and second-guessing. Paul said, “I planted,
Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth” (1 Cor. 3:6).
While there are many things we do not understand about what it
takes to get someone to grow to spiritual maturity, there are some
things we do know. For example, we do know that repentance
opens the door to God’s blessing (Acts 3:19). We also know that a
study of God’s word followed by a commitment to practice its
teachings is another avenue to spiritual growth (Jas. 1:25). Finally,
we must not forget the contribution that prayer makes toward
spiritual advancement (Lk. 17:5).
It’s not hard to imagine someone getting stuck while putting a
puzzle together. Nothing seems to fit where it is placed. Finally,
after repeated failure a sharp knife is used to make pieces fit into
places where they do not belong. Likewise, there may be times
when we feel frustrated or discouraged about our own spiritual
growth. It is then that we must keep working God’s plan instead of
trying to force our own. Constancy relates to patience and patience
is what we need in all aspects of the Lord’s work. This is reflected in
Paul's statement to the Colossians: “We proclaim Him, admonishing
every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may
present every man complete in Christ. For this purpose also I labor,
striving according to His power, which mightily works within me”
(Col. 1:28-29).
In a world that is broken and bleeding, what a blessing it is to
be complete in Christ! Our confidence is in Christ. Our
concentration is on Christ. And, our constancy is with Christ.
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The story of the Rich Young Ruler illustrates the fact that,
sometimes, we have to give up something in order to be complete.
He needed to give up his love for his material possessions.
Because he was unwilling to do so, he went away sorrowful still
missing life's greatest possession. Christ alone is the piece that fills
our hearts and makes us whole. He is the One “…who fills all in all”
(Eph. 1:23). As the song says, “Bring Christ your broken life…He will
create anew…Make whole again!” (Chisholm 911). Satan offers
some attractive pieces that he would like to deceive us into
accepting as the pieces that will make us complete. But, all he has
to offer is “…the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the
boastful pride of life” (1 Jn. 2:15-17). Satan is a liar and the father
of lies (Jn. 8:44). We must let go of our pride and our sin and make
room for Jesus alone as the Lord of our lives. He alone can put our
lives back together and make us truly complete.
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DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. What are some things Satan can do to make our journey to
spiritual maturity more difficult? (Mt. 7:15; Mk. 4:15; 2 Cor. 4:4;
11:3; Eph. 6:11; 1 Jn. 2:15-17).
2. How can accepting what we cannot do help us find confidence
in the future? (Jer. 10:23; Is. 64:6; Lk. 12:15 cf. Rom. 5:6;
8:32; Ph. 4:13).
3. How can we overcome “Spiritual Attention Deficit Disorder”?
(Prov. 4:25-27; Col. 3:1-4; Heb. 12:1-2).
4. Why is it so important to build our lives from the inside-out?
(Prov. 4:23; Mt. 12:35; 15:19; Rom. 8:9).
5. How can we be “complete in Christ” in the present if we are
expected to continue growing spiritually? (Col. 1:28 cf. 1 Pet.
3:18).
6. What are some practical steps we can take in the direction of
spiritual growth? (1 Pet. 2:1-2; 3:10-12; Jas. 1:19-22).
7. What are some things which must be given up in order to be
made complete? (Mt. 16:24-26; Rom. 13:14; Jas. 4:6-10).
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WORKS CITED
Chisholm, T.O. “Bring Christ Your Broken Life.” Songs of Faith and
Praise. Comp. and Ed. by Alton H. Howard. West Monroe, LA:
Howard Publishing Co., Inc., 1994.
Hamblen, Carl Stuart. “It Is No Secret.” New York, 1950.
W.E. Vine, Merrill F. Unger, William White, Jr. Vine’s Complete
Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words.
Nashville: Thomas Nelson, Inc., 1984.