Complete

Colossians 2:6-10 NKJV

As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, [7] rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. [8] Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. [9] For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; [10] and you are complete in Him, who is the Head of all principality and power.

I followed my friend and the estate agent up the path to back garden. The path was liberally scattered with tall weeds and moss was growing on the brickwork. There was a general smell of dampness emanating from the building. The house looked rundown and unloved.

"You see why I didn't even bother putting this property on the list of potential homes to buy?" said my friend.

I, however, was in a different universe, imagining what potential there was here.

In my mind, I was cutting away the brambles in the garden to "see" a nicely cut lawn, new trees and shrubs planted - a place for BBQs and fun with friends by a chiminea on summer evenings.

Inside, the fusty smell was even more pungent and my friend was singularly unimpressed and looked at me for agreement.

Yes, the decor was dowdy and dull. The panelling in the conservatory was falling of the wall showing a "cowboy job" of the wiring. The stairs creaked ominously as we climbed to the first floor where a horrendously shocking pink bedroom awaited us. The bathroom was a faded pale blue with chipped clay ducks peppered up the wall above the stained bath.

Through all this I was inspired to see the home it would be and now is. So, my nearest and dearest bought it and after a huge renovation project it was ours and felt brand new.

In the years since there have been other extensions and repairs but the place is now homely and welcoming - a place for hospitality and fellowship.

Do you see the analogy? In our BC (before Christ) state, we too were rundown and unloved, stinky with sin and overgrown with bad attitudes, choked with the brambles of sadness, fears and rejection.

Yet, even in that state, we were chosen and called.

Romans 5:8 NKJV

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Jesus saw our potential and bought us with His own Body and Blood.

At that point, we were, are and will be COMPLETE in Him.

Personally, I don't "feel" all that complete - just the opposite - I feel full of faults and failings - the Lord has so much renovation work to do on me!

But, in God's Eyes, according to right now - I, you and we are complete in Him.

We are bought and paid for and are glorious "works in progress" - by the Holy Spirit.

Be encouraged, you're being renovated and rebuilt in Christ.