Col. 2:6-15

In Col. 1:24-2:5 we saw the wonder of Christ in the believer.  Now we see the wonder of the believer in Christ.  In theology this is called the mystical union.  

          To be in Christ is both a positional and a practical or growing truth.  We are to walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him (v6-7).  These are indications that we grow in this relationship.  But vs. 9-10 make it clear that believers are complete in Him.  This speaks of our position.  

          Many see vs. 9-10 as the key to this letter.  They succinctly capture what Paul has said up to this point.  The fullness of the believer is wrapped up in the fullness of Christ.  There was nothing missing of His deity (1:13-18); there was nothing missing in His work of reconciliation (1:19-23).  He is the preeminent head of all principality and power (1:18; 2:10).  Any deceptive philosophy or tradition that denies the fullness of the believer is denying the fullness of Christ!

          The question then has to do with how one comes to be in Christ.  Paul briefly answers this question in vs. 11-15, sounding much like he did in Eph. 2:1-10.  (Romans 6 gives an even more detailed explanation.)    Note the references to the experience of the believer when he received Christ Jesus the Lord.

·        v11: in Him you were spiritually circumcised.  Spiritually, in Christ, our sins are forgiven.  They have been cut away.

·        v12a: in Him you were buried in baptism.  Baptism symbolizes the death, burial and resurrection that takes place spiritually when one puts their faith in Christ (Rom. 6:3-4).

·        v12b: in Him you were raised from the dead.  Believers are made new creations (2 Cor. 5:17), born again as children of God (John 3:3).  Thus they are raised to newness of life.

·        v13: you were made alive together in Him.  This verse summarizes the process, making it clear that all that happens at the moment one believes is tied to Christ.  At each point believers are in Him.

          The point is further made that the believer’s fullness is tied to the fullness of Christ in vs. 13b-15.  The key thought is that the believer is forgiven.  The forgiveness is again the result of the completed work of Christ.  As in Eph. 2:14-18, so we see here, that Christ’s death wipes out the requirements of the law (these are the handwriting of requirements).  Christ has nailed this to the cross, fulfilling the requirements in our place.  Then in His resurrection He disarmed Satan and his demons publicly (v15).

          The principle is that we are all that God meant for us to be in Christ.  We are complete!  We know this is true because the fullness of the Godhead dwells in Christ and we are joined with Him in His death, burial and resurrection.  Let us remember this as we live in a world where it is considered important to have a good self-concept.  May we never see ourselves apart from our place in Christ.