The Fullness of Christ

On July 4 of this year, there was a 10K race known as the Peachtree Road Race which takes place in Atlanta, Georgia. Just so you know, a 10K is just over 6 miles. In the women’s elite division, the defending champion was an Ethiopian woman names Senbere Teferi.

As the race was coming to a close, it looked like Teferi was going to be able to defend her title. She was less than 150 meters from the end with the finish line in sight. Since the race was nearly over, the police motorcycle which had been leading the runners turned off the course, which was to allow the runner to finish on their own. But instead of continuing toward the finish, Teferi turned as well, following the motorcycle, and it cost her the victory.

You can imagine the heartbreak a mistake like that can bring, but we can also understand how it happened. The entire race, she was following the police motorcycle, so when the end was in sight, and he turned off course, she just naturally followed him.

The mistake cost Teferi the victory, and she lost about $7,000 worth of prize money. But even more tragic is what happens when someone makes the same kind of mistake in the Christian race? People can follow Christ for some time and then be led astray by false teaching.

It is precisely because of that possibility that Paul wrote to the Colossians. They were being confronted with false teaching tempting them to abandon the race they had begun to run. They were going off in another direction.

This is why verses 6-8 include two related instructions. Look at what verses 6 and 7 say: Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

The basic command there is: Stay focused on Christ.

The second command is: Don’t be led astray. Don’t be fooled. This comes in verse 8.

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.

This is a good summary of our responsibility in the Christian life: walk with Christ and be on guard. Stay focused on Christ. Be on guard against being taken captive by false ideas.

In the verses that follow, Paul explains how to do that. This is going to be our focus as we come to hear from God’s word and then partake of the Lord’s Supper. These are wonderful truths that are so helpful as we remember the sacrifice of Christ on our behalf.

In order to stay focused on Jesus and not be deceived by falsehood (verses 6-8), you need to understand what you have been given in Christ.

[Unfortunately, a full manuscript it not available for the remainder of the message. Below is a summary of the main points]

1. You have been given the divine nature (verses 9-10). You have no lack spiritually.
2. You have been given a complete cleansing (verses 11-2). You have no lack ritually.
3. You have been given a new life (verses 13-14). You have no lack relationally.
4. You have been given a triumphant victory (verse 15). You have no lack eternally.