“And ye are complete in him—-” Col. 2:10
Contrary to what many people think, some people are not more fit for heaven than others. There are different degrees of knowledge, maturity, devotion, and morality, but there is no such thing as some being more deserving of heaven than others.

The truth is that none of us, in and of ourselves, are fit for heaven. We all have sinned and are deserving of hell. And there is nothing we can do to change our wretched condition. We can’t make ourselves fit for heaven— so religion is useless. But there is hope! In Christ we are made fit for heaven, because he was made sin “that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (2 Cor. 5:21). In Him we “are complete”.

The word “complete” means “filled” or “full”. It implies that there is nothing left to be done–as though we could contribute anything. While we have certain duties because we are Christians, there is nothing we can do to become a Christian. It depends entirely on what Christ does for us, not what we try to do for Him. Without Christ nothing is sufficient. With Christ nothing is lacking. When He cried “it is finished” He left no work yet to do. When He arose from the grave He left no enemy undefeated. When He sat down at the Father’s right hand it was because redemption’s work was done. The moment He saved you He imputed His righteousness and imparted eternal life full and free. He made you complete!

While every believer is different, no believer is more fit for heaven than another. All believers have only one thing in which they can boast and that is “the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ”(Gal. 6:14). There will be different rewards in heaven, but only one reason for us being there, and that is Christ in Whom we are “complete”. Dear friend, there is no middle ground. You are either complete in Christ or altogether lacking. You either have everything God requires or nothing to offer Him. Without Christ you are incomplete, empty, and unsatisfied. In Christ, and Christ alone, you are complete!

“For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.”–Jer. 2:13
There are many different dangers in the world, but the greatest of all is religion. Nothing is so deadly as worldly religion. It deceives and destroys. It promises much, but provides nothing of eternal value–like a broken cistern. Commenting on this text Stephen Davey wrote:

“If religion is a broken cistern—a shattered reservoir that can’t hold water—why do so many people try to drink from it? First Samuel 16:7 answers, “man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.” That is, man runs to religion because it makes him look and feel better.

The heart is passionate about creating appearances, like a quartz that masquerades as a diamond, or “fools gold” which has false value. It gives people the impression that they are good, while veiling their inner evil. Religion is the greatest impostor the world has ever known.

Imagine stumbling into a run-down farmyard: windswept, barren, and nothing more than hard, dry ground. But there is a well, with a wooden platform and a rusty old pump. You are dying of thirst and step onto the platform, anxiously beginning to pump the handle. It squeaks and complains with every push and pull. After five minutes—nothing but air. After fifteen minutes of sweating, coaxing,  pleading, there is still nothing . . . the well is dry. 

Let me tell you what the institution of religion has done: It has scraped all the rust off the pump handle and painted it bright red. Better yet, it has replaced the old handle with a shiny brass one which gleams brilliantly as the sun strikes it. Flowers have been planted around the well and a pleasant path has been marked out through the farmyard so people can come from all around. People do indeed come; they gaze; they marvel; they rhapsodize; and they decide to build a platform, put up a pump, plant some flowers, and lay a stone path.  But there is no water!

You may say, “But I know people who aren’t Christians and yet, are committed to their families, are ethical in business, and are moral, upright citizens. How can you say that their religion is devoid of the water of life?”

This is a fair question, but we must remember that religion focuses on the work of the hands, while ignoring the sin of the heart.

David says in Psalm 14:2-3, “ The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand , and seek God. They are all gone aside , they are all together become filthy : there is none that doeth good, no, not one.” God has seen what lies beneath man’s facade, and He is far from impressed. Are you satisfying your spiritual thirst with the living water of a relationship with Christ, or are you still painting broken pump handles?”

“And so, after he had patiently endured , he obtained the promise.”–Heb. 6:15

Stuart Hamblen wrote, “It is no secret what God can do. What He’s done for others, He’ll do for you”. Well, it might not be a secret, but many haven’t got the message. They live in fear and doubt simply because they are unmindful of what God has done and promised. That’s why Bible study is so important. It serves to enlighten us as to what God has done for others and encourages us with promises that He will do the same for us. Perhaps the best example of this is found in Hebrews 11 where we are given one example after another of what God can do for those who trust Him. Of all those mentioned, Abraham, of whom our text speaks,  is perhaps the most well known. Of this great man, an unknown author wrote:

“Abraham was long tried, but he was richly rewarded. The Lord tried him by delaying to fulfill His promise. Satan tried him by temptation; men tried him by jealousy, distrust, and opposition; Sarah tried him by her peevishness. But he patiently endured. He did not question God’s veracity, nor limit His power, nor doubt His faithfulness, nor grieve His love; but he bowed to Divine Sovereignty, submitted to Infinite Wisdom, and was silent under delays, waiting the Lord’s time. And so, having patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

God’s promises cannot fail of their accomplishment. Patient waiters cannot be disappointed. Believing expectation shall be realized. Beloved, Abraham’s conduct condemns a hasty spirit, reproves a murmuring one, commends a patient one, and encourages quiet submission to God’s will and way.

Remember, Abraham was tried; he patiently waited; he received the promise, and was satisfied. Imitate his example, and you will share the same blessing.”

When we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly– Rom. 5:6

Salvation is for the helpless, the powerless, the needy. If Christ had waited until people were good enough, strong enough, or willing enough to be saved, He would never have come.

This is the first lesson of salvation, which must be learned again and again even by believers: you are not saved because of who you are or what you’ve done; you are saved in spite of who you are and what you’ve done.

You can no more earn God’s favor, even now, than lift Mount Everest and carry it on your shoulders. You are without strength; you are ungodly.

But the good news is that Christ died for the ungodly! Christ did not die for those who had done enough good works, or gone to church enough, or given enough money. Christ died for the ungodly, the undeserving, those who are spiritual paupers in the marketplace of salvation.

And Christ came in due time. His birth was no accident, his life was not mere happenstance, and his death was not without purpose. God knew before man sinned in the garden that he would need saving, and he sent his Son to pay, by his cross, our otherwise unplayable debt.

What about you? Do you see yourself as ungodly and without strength, or are you still trusting in your own goodness to save you? If you do see the filthiness of your heart and habits, that you are guilty before a holy God, then know this: Christ died for the ungodly.

Do not hesitate to embrace the salvation that God planned for his people to enjoy in Christ.–BBH

“Oh, love the Lord, all ye saints.” Psalms 31:23

Our God has revealed Himself as the source, center, and end of everything lovely. In Jesus He appears as the fairest among ten thousand, and the altogether lovely. The wealth of the universe is His. He is worthy of our highest love. He is all we could wish or desire. To possess Him is to be made for eternity. To have Him on our side is to be safe forever. But you may ask, What is His mind towards us? Emphatically, “grace.” We have found favour in His eyes. He is the friend of penitent sinners. He loveth us with an infinite love. Do you doubt it? Read His word. Look at Calvary. Ask His people, Prove for yourselves. See what He has already done for us. Have we a being? He gave it. Have we a good hope? He bestowed it. Have we liberty? He bought it. Have we holiness? He wrought it. Consider what we may have been but for His grace. What we certainly should have been but for His salvation. What we are now, and what we shall be, as the effect of His love; and, “Oh, love the Lord, all ye saints!” It is happiness! it is holiness! it is heaven!

Love all defects supplies,
Makes great obstructions small;
‘Tis prayer; ’tis praise; ’tis sacrifice;
‘Tis holiness; ’tis all!   —-James Smith, 1840