You Are Already Complete in Christ

Many Christians carry an invisible burden.

We wonder if we've prayed enough, served enough, shared our faith enough, read enough Scripture, or spent enough time with the Lord. We compare ourselves to other believers and are left with a nagging feeling that we're somehow spiritually behind.

While God certainly calls us to grow, the enemy loves to twist that desire into striving. Instead of enjoying fellowship with Jesus, we begin trying to earn His approval. Our focus shifts to what we are doing rather than what Jesus has already done.

The Gospel has good news for us.

Ephesians 2:8-9 says,

"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast."

We can't earn God's love. Salvation couldn't be earned, and neither can God's ongoing affection. It is by His grace, and it is a gift we receive by faith.

He isn't more pleased with you after a "good Christian day" than He is after a difficult one. His love for you is rooted in Christ's finished work.

Titus 3:4-5 reminds us,

"But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us...."

We have been made complete and righteous in Him. Nothing we do adds to what Jesus has already done. He fulfilled every requirement on the cross, and when He gave His life, He declared, "It is finished" (John 19:30).

We don't have to finish what Jesus already completed.

Because of Him, we can now come boldly before the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16), not feeling unworthy, but knowing we are in right standing before the Father through Christ.

As Colossians 2:10 says,

"And you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power."

Jesus also said,

"I am the vine; you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." (John 15:5)

Now we get to abide in Him and grow, not from a place of trying harder, but from a place of resting in Him. As we spend time with the Lord through prayer, meditating on His Word, and worship, fruit naturally grows because we are abiding in the true Vine.

Philippians 2:13 says,

"For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure."

Take the pressure off.

Rest in the truth that you are already loved by Him, and you don't have to earn His love. He is certainly worthy of our love and affection, and even the desire we have to serve Him and do His will is His Spirit working in us.

Spend time with Him, not so that He will accept you, but because you are already accepted.

When you stop striving to earn what Christ has already secured, you find something beautiful: rest.

And from that place of rest, love, obedience, generosity, and holiness begin to grow naturally.