WE are in the 6th chapter of Principles of Spiritual Growth (Part One of the Complete Green Letters), – “Complete in Him.” The point being here is that all that we need for “life and godliness” (2Pet. 1:2) we already possess “In Christ,” every spiritual blessing is fully available and at our disposal (Eph. 1:3). It is just a matter of discovery and by faith putting into practice and use all that we already own in Him. But, that is easier said then done. There is a lot that goes into that mix as we have learned and know right well about our self, and the opposition around and within us to our spiritual growth.
SO, we press on in our study to understand and apprehend all that Christ has promised for His blood bought followers (Phil 3:13-14 cp 1:6). This has been a central point of all we possess “in Christ” and what we have been looking within the principles for spiritual growth. We now come to the closing comments to this chapter, in what it means to be Complete in Him. But before we do that, I want to share one more thing.
“THERE are no problems, only opportunities.” This is a phrase I have adopted with unequivocal abandon. It is an axiomatic truth I often repeat whenever I, or someone I love, fall prey to a difficulty, trial, or temptation. It is the equivalent to James 1:2 “Count it all joy.” It is what our author here refers to saying, “I praise Thee that I have already full victory in this matter.” Indeed, the “Problems we face are nothing more than opportunities in disguise” – John Adams
With highest regards in Christ,
Joe
Neh. 8:10, Isa. 30:15, Jas. 1:2
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Chapter 6—Complete in Him – Part 4 (conclusion)
Not only is our life complete in Him but likewise the essential victory in all the many exigencies of that life. When you fight to get victory, then you have lost the battle at the very outset. Suppose the Enemy assaults you in your home or in your business. He creates a situation with which you cannot possibly deal. What do you do? Your first instinct is to prepare yourself for a big battle and then pray to God to give you the victory in it. But if you do so defeat is sure, for you have given up the ground that is yours in Christ. By the attitude you have taken you have relinquished it to the Enemy. What then should you do when he attacks? You should simply look up and praise the Lord. ‘Lord, I am faced with a situation that I cannot possibly meet. Thine enemy the Devil has brought it about to compass my downfall, but I praise Thee that Thy victory is an all-inclusive victory. It covers this situation, too. I praise Thee that I have already full victory in this matter.
Don’t rush—He won’t. “The Japanese artist, Hokusai, said, ‘From the age of six I had an obsession for drawing the forms of things. By the time I was fifty I had published an infinity of designs; but nothing I produced before seventy is worth considering.’ He died at eighty-nine, declaring that if he could have only another five years, he would have become a great artist.”
The apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the Philippians:
Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become [complete], but I press on in order that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 3:12-14) For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in [me] will perfect it [complete it] until the day of Christ Jesus. (Phil. 1:6) NASB
“…and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith.” 1John 5:4
