“For the entire fullness of God’s nature dwells bodily in Christ, and you have been filled by him, who is the head over every ruler and authority.” -Colossians 2:9-10 (CSB)

The usage of the phrase “have been filled by him,” in this passage literally means to the brim. There’s no room for anything else. It’s full. Like trying  but failing to fit one more item of clothing in a stuffed suitcase, it’s full! The reason this verse is important is because in the verses immediately before it, Paul urges the Colossians to be careful and on guard against lies whispered by the culture and by the enemy. 

One of Satan’s oldest tricks is getting us to buy into a scarcity mindset. Here’s what a scarcity mindset looks like: “I don’t have enough! There’s not going to be enough! I’m not enough! God’s provision is not enough!” It’s the same trick Satan used with Adam and Eve and the forbidden fruit. “Did God really say…? [Genesis 3:1];” and “In fact, God knows that when you eat it your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil. [Genesis 3:5].” The implication is that God is untrustworthy (He is not enough); and that He holds out on us (His provision is not enough). To the church in Colossae, the culture was pressuring them to believe the lie that they either: A) had to be bought into ritual and ceremony (God’s provision of Grace is not enough); B) that Jesus only rose spiritually and not physically (God’s provision of a resurrection is not enough); or C) that they had to be from a certain people in order to be saved (I am not enough). See? Same lie. Satan is actually really lazy when we think about it – use one trick once and let it repeat itself over and over. 

Our culture today even repeats it. Did you know the average American sees an advertisement at least 4,000 times a day. That means at least 4,000 times a day we are told: “You’re lacking! Buy this product!” “It won’t be here for long, buy now!” “No one wants you the way you are, subscribe to this service!”  No wonder we’re facing mental health crises!  

Yet the security and blessing of Jesus is that when we are with Him, we lack nothing. It’s a similar verse to the 23rd Psalm: “The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not lack.” And we are made in an abundant relationship with the living God. God fills Christ, Christ fills us. We don’t have to be afraid of not measuring up. We don’t have to be afraid of the lies of scarcity that are repeated over and over. Whichever of the four lies of scarcity affects us the most: (I don’t have enough! There’s not going to be enough! I’m not enough! God’s provision is not enough!) May we submit that fear to God and stand in recognition of His fullness dwelling in Christ who shares abundantly with us.

May the LORD bless us and keep us.

Announcements and Other Thoughts:  This past week, we enjoyed two great events to kick off the school year at OSU: the “Lights on Stillwater” event, and the Baptist Collegiate Ministries (BCM) church fair. As a result we had about 10 college students join us on Sunday. Please join us in prayer to lift up these students that they have a great semester, and are able to be lights of Christ to their school.

Our Back to School Bash is Sunday, Sept. 7, after church. If you’d like to contribute a salad, casserole, dessert, or side dish, please email the church office here: fbc_mail@brightok.net