STAND COMPLETE WITH FIRM CONVICTION - Strive to "Stand Complete"

Strive to "Stand Complete"

Epaphras keenly desired that his spiritual brothers and sisters in Colossae "finally stand complete."  The term Paul used, here rendered "complete," can have the sense of perfect, full-grown, or mature.  (Matthew 19:21; Hebrews 5:14; James 1:4, 25)  You likely know that some one's being a baptized Witness of Jehovah does not  of itself mean that he is a full-grown Christian.  Paul wrote the Ephesians, living to the west of Colossae, that shepherds and teachers try to help "all attain to the oneness in the faith and in the accurate knowledge of the Son of God, to a full-grown man, to the measure of stature that belongs to the fullness of the Christ."  Elsewhere Paul urged Christians to become "full-grown in powers of understanding." -Ephesians 4:8-13; 1 Corinthians 14:20.

If some in Colossae were not yet spiritually full-grown, or mature, that needed to be their goal .  Should not the same be true today?  Whether we were baptized decades ago or recently, can we see that we clearly have progressed in our reasoning ability and viewpoints?  Do we consider Bible principles  before we make our decision?  Are matters related to God and congregational interests gaining and ever greater role in our life, rather than being incidental?  We cannot here illustrate all the ways in which we may reflect such growth toward completeness, but consider two examples.

Example one: Suppose we grew up in a climate marked by prejudice or hostility toward people of another race, nationality, or region. We now know that God is not partial and that  we should not be.  (Acts 10:14, 15, 34, 35) in our congregation or circuit, there are individuals from that other background, so we are around them. Yet, to what extent do we  inwardly retain some negative feelings or suspicious toward people of that background?  Do we have 'a chip on our shoulder,' being quick to think something negative if one from that background errs or slights us in some minor way? Ask yourself, 'Do I need to make more progress toward having God's impartial view?'

Example two: According to Philippians 2:3, we should do "nothing out of contentiousness or out of egotism, but  with lowliness of mind considering that the others are superior."  How are we progressing in this regard?  Each person has weaknesses and strengths.  If in the past we were quick to note other's weak points, have we progressed, no longer expecting  them to be almost "perfect?"  (James 3:2) Now, more so than before, are we able to see-even look for-ways in which others are superior?  'I must admit that this sister is superior to me in being patient.'  That one reflects a more optimistic faith.'  'Frankly, he is a better teacher than i am.'  She is superior in controlling her temper.' Perhaps some Colossians needed to progress in this regard. Do we?

Next time:  Conclusion of Strive to "Stand Complete"

The Watchtower, 2000