The Main State of Wholeness
Hello Bride of Christ,
What adjectives do you choose to describe yourself? Do you know if dependent ever makes the list? I am dependent! No, probably not. Why? We live in a culture that promotes a balance between dependent and independent behaviors. Our culture associates dependent behavior appropriate for children and individuals with disabilities. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary dependent means contingent – determined or conditioned by another- or reliant on another for support. Not the definition most people associate with a healthy, stable, reliable, and successful individual. Yet our Kinsmen Redeemer through the grace of God confirms within us the opposite testimony, so we come short in no gift!
The apostle Paul’s letter to the church of God in Corinth highlights the wholeness found in dependency. Though not ordinary, this dependency by the grace of God was given to those declared to belong to God (sanctified) to remain dependent on Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 1:4). Yes, God ordained for all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ to remain dependent on Him always. Why?
“For it pleased the Father that in Him (Jesus) all the fullness should dwell,” (Colossians 1:19).
You might ask, what fullness?
Paul summarizes the fullness we seek in four powerful words to the church of God, “But of Him (God) you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God-and righteousness, and sanctification and redemption-“ (1 Corinthians 1:30).
When we depend on Jesus Christ…
Wisdom from God, in the Greek sophia, the broad and full intelligence, and perfect comprehension of all that is or might be becomes available to us. Man’s wisdom achieves a desired end effectively, demonstrating a finite perspective and self-centered focus. In comparison, God’s wisdom is broad, full, and perfect about past, present, and future on a micro (individual), and macro (world) scale. Depending on God’s wise, all-knowing character, allows us to live certain God keeps us. Simply put, God is in control.
Righteousness, in Greek dikaiosýnē, is the condition acceptable to God. Through Jesus’ we attain right status with God. As the Psalmist declared and Paul so fittingly requoted in Romans “There is none righteous, no, not one;” (Romans 3:9) Illustrating only through dependency on Christ do we attain such a God-given status.
Sanctification, agiasmós in Greek, declares the object or person belongs to God. Our independence only affords us the battle of trying to guess what God thinks belongs to Him and tirelessly work to achieve it. But as the Prophets of old and Paul asked in his letter to the Romans, “Who knows the mind of God?” (Romans 11:34) The answer? “For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.” (Romans 11:36) God declared to the children of Israel, “I am the Lord God who sanctifies you.” (Leviticus 20:8) How? Jesus became our sanctification, as He completed the redemptive work of the cross, and gave us the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. (Colossians 1:14,27) Through dependency on Jesus, we are accepted by God and declared to belong to Him. (Ephesians 1:6)
Redemption, apolytrosis in Greek, means a release effect by payment of ransom. Independently we cannot pay the ransom for our sin which separates us from entering a relationship with God. “For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.” (Colossians 1:19-20). Dependency on Christ allows us to experience release from bondage, a new life, not merely a life gained by being released from sin, but one which exists only in continual relationship with Christ, gained through the implantation of Christ’s righteousness to man.
Bride of Christ, the establishment of 3 daily practices postures our lives to depend on Christ:
Pray for God’s wisdom through Christ for it awaits to be revealed to you (Philippians 4:6-7).
Read the Holy Scriptures to transform your mind- will, desires, emotions- into the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16, Romans 12:2).
Memorize scripture, “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” (Psalm 119:11)
These simple daily practices allow you to depend on Christ fully, for Christ before departing from earth told us “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)
