Complete in Him
(Based on The Green Letters by Miles J. Stanford, Chapter 6)
Scripture Focus:
“And you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.” – Colossians 2:10
The spiritual life of the believer is founded on one vital truth: we are complete in Christ. This completeness is not earned through human effort or enhanced by our works. Instead, it is a divine gift, bestowed at the moment of our union with Christ. From this foundation flows the process of spiritual growth—a journey of discovery, appropriation, and transformation as we grow into what we already possess in Him.
The Two Sources
The chapter emphasizes two critical aspects of our spiritual source:
In Adam: Every human being begins life complete in Adam, bearing his likeness, which includes sin and separation from God (Romans 5:19).
In Christ: For believers, the reality shifts. By faith, we are born anew, complete in Christ and partakers of His divine nature (2 Peter 1:4).
This transition from Adam to Christ involves learning and unlearning. We first recognize the futility of our natural life—its failures, struggles, and self-effort. Only then can we embrace the abundance of our spiritual life in Christ.
Progress in Possession
Our growth is not about acquiring something new but about understanding and appropriating what we already have in Christ. As J.B. Stoney writes, “Progress is only advancing in the knowledge of what we really possess at the outset.”
This progression is like ascending a ladder, where each step represents a deeper awareness of our position and possessions in Christ:
Step 1: Belief in Jesus as the One sent by God.
Step 2: Justification through His finished work.
Step 3: A growing personal relationship with Him.
Step 4: Recognition of our heavenly association with Him.
Step 5: Understanding our inheritance as His body.
Step 6: Our position seated with Him in heavenly places.
Step 7: An eternal sense of awe and worship.
Our Role: Rest and Reception
The life we have in Christ is like a seed—fully equipped with everything needed for growth and fruitfulness. Our role is not production but reception. We rest in the finished work of Christ, allowing the Spirit to cultivate and mature His life within us. As Watchman Nee explains, when faced with challenges, our response should not be to fight for victory but to claim the victory that is already ours in Christ:
“I praise Thee that Thy victory is an all-inclusive victory. It covers this situation, too. I praise Thee that I have already full victory in this matter.”
This perspective transforms our struggles into opportunities to trust and rest in His sufficiency.
The Goal: Growth in Maturity
Spiritual growth is a process that takes time. Like the patient Japanese artist Hokusai, who believed his best work came only in the later years of his life, we too must submit to God’s timing. He is the patient Husbandman, nurturing us toward Christlike maturity.
Growth requires:
Heart-hunger: A deep desire to know Christ.
Assurance: Confidence in our completeness in Him.
Meditation: A thoughtful, intentional focus on God’s Word and His truths.
In this way, we allow God’s life to flourish within us, bringing forth fruit that remains (John 15:16).
A Closing Prayer
Lord, thank You that we are complete in Christ, lacking nothing. We trust You to nurture and grow the life You have placed within us. May we rest in Your sufficiency, embracing the victory that is already ours. Open our hearts to receive more of Your truth and transform us into the image of Your Son. We praise You for Your faithfulness in every step of our journey. Amen.
Final Thought
Spiritual growth is not about striving but about abiding. It is not about achieving but about receiving. As we rest in our completeness in Christ, we discover the fullness of life that He has already provided, and His life within us bears fruit that glorifies God.