Colossians 2 Part 2

It is easy to start the Christian race by grace, but it is incredibly difficult to stay there. We have a natural tendency to drift back toward performance, thinking we need to add something to the finished work of Christ to truly be secure. Whether it is the ancient trap of Jewish legalism, the allure of mystical experiences, or the harsh discipline of asceticism, the enemy is always trying to convince us that Jesus isn't enough. We think we need Jesus plus a strict diet, or Jesus plus a special revelation, or Jesus plus a list of rules to follow.

But Pastor Steve reminds us in this study of Colossians 2 that "Christ is the substance of all". The work of salvation is not a 50/50 partnership where God does His part and we finish it with our good behavior. It is a completed work. The debt has been paid, the enemy has been disarmed, and the shadow has given way to the substance. As you go through these questions, challenge yourself to identify where you might be relying on "shadows"—religious habits or self-imposed rules—instead of resting in the substance of Christ

Pastor Steve emphasizes that Colossians 2:10 says we are complete in Him, not almost complete. How does believing you are already complete in Christ change the way you approach your daily struggles with sin? (OT: Psalm 23:1 | NT: 2 Peter 1:3)