Colossians: Complete in Christ
Introduction
The overall theme of Colossians is critical in the life of a believer. It is very important for us to have a proper view of our true identity in Christ, because the essence of Christianity is a person Himself: the Christ. In Colossians 3:11 the Apostle Paul states”…where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.” NKJV
Christianity offers a life-giving, life-sustaining union with our Savior. This is not merely the claiming of His name as many do (Matt. 7:22-23).
Christ as the Head of the body
In Colossians, this relationship is described by using the analogy of a “body.” Christ is the Head of the body of which all Christians are members. Colossians 1:18 states, “He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.”
Let’s look at 2:19 as well: “Holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increases with the increase of God.” If one does not hold on to Christ, there will be no growth, no increase.
Analogy in Ephesians
Ephesians also uses the body analogy, but there is much more of an emphasis upon our relationship to each other as members of the body and the obligation to use our gifts for the edification of the body…”to equip His people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” So whereas Ephesians stresses our relationship to each other, Colossians has a greater emphasis on our relationship to the Head of the body (Who is Christ).
- No being can function without the head.
- You may lose an arm or leg and still function, but you will certainly die immediately without a head.
- No part of the body functions without directions from “headquarters.”
