Colossians 2:9-10

9 For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, 10 and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority

This series (50 Days of Promises) is inspired by a page of 50 biblical “I AM” affirmations that I ran across from Ted Roberts Pure Desire-7 Pillars of Freedom, p. 294 

I am finding that so many childhood abuse victims, regardless of the form of abuse (physical, emotional, sexual) there is a common deep rooted shame and worthlessness at the core of our struggles.

In that, one of the hardest things I battle with is a deep understanding and belief that I am already made complete as today’s passage in Colossians speaks to.

This verse does not mix words, or thinly veil it’s content; it is a bold statement that IN HIM we HAVE BEEN MADE COMPLETE (past tense).

What that leads me to this morning is a whispers breath of understanding that the journey ahead is not about becoming sinless, it is actually just going to take a lifetime of realizing more deeply each day that I already have everything I need IN CHRIST to live sinless and free and exhibiting a bold trust in His power, strength and protection by surrendering to His will more completely each new day.

The journey of sanctification is not a striving to be something I’m not, it is a striving to believe who I really am in Christ and then the righteousness of Christ is able to flow freely within and without.

The past does not have the power to enslave us, it is our mind which has been infected with the lies of Satan that seeks to “snatch defeat from the jaws of victory” as my sponsors tells me I’m so good at.

It’s a self-induced prison because I still don’t fully understand the incredible implications of being IN Christ.

I have come to realize I have relied on the victim card my whole life, feeling “entitled” to the behaviors and selfish pursuits to make me “feel” better. And it’s all a lie.

Sex, drugs, alcohol, materialism, angry outbursts, control-issues, codependency; these are all forms of selfish, self-destructive, relationship-killing, emotional survival behaviors that God calls idolatry and which lead only to a deeper death; pursuits and behaviors that seek to medicate and placate one’s self lead only to emptiness and isolation.

As I travel this journey of redemption, of sanctification, I am continually pressed in on all sides with the Truth of Christ which tells me I am whole, complete, forgiven, set free, alive in Him, justified by faith.

Those are amazing promises of who we all are IN Christ Jesus.

For the recovering addict like myself, again the focus is becoming clearer to me that white-knuckling recovery is not the answer, to “try harder” is to be focused on the problem instead of the solution.

It is letting the Truths of Christ heal the lies of the past, both what was inflicted upon us and what we inflicted upon others, and it speaks to what is to come as well; it can all be left at the foot of the Cross.

A MUST SEE THIS VIDEO – one that captures what boldness in spite of fear can accomplish.

Father God I thank You yet again for Your Word which tells me I am already made complete, that Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross was made complete in me when I came to believe. Help me this day Lord to more fully recognize the incredible gift that truly is already mine, to believe that it is not my flesh that holds me back, but my unbelief that says I am only a little bit free, forgiven for a few things but not everything, can do some things in Christ but not all things. You tell us a mustard seed of faith is all we need and I am beginning to recognize that a mustard seed of doubt, mistrust or fear separates me from the incredible freedom that You already paid the ransom for. The captive has been set free, help me to believe that even more deeply this day, that the worries of the world, regrets of the past, and worries of the future all fade away into background noise as You take center stage in my awareness. Help us all Lord to watch for You, recognize You at work in our lives and then stand in awe of Your incredible majesty upon the throne of our lives. May we all more completely surrender our will and our lives to You this day. Thank you Jesus for making a way to the Father, that we can live together in harmony in love for Your glory alone. In Your precious name I pray…