You Complete Me
Some will no doubt remember this phrase, delivered by Tom Cruise from the 1996 film “Jerry McGuire”. Probably better remembered from that same movie is: “Show me the money”. The truth is that many feel they are only complete if and when they have money. This is evidenced by the importance of gain in this world in which we live.
Another word for complete is “whole”. In John chapter five we are told of the belief of the Jews of that day, in the miraculous power of the “troubled water” at the pool of Bethesda, in which one could be “made complete” or “whole” or if they could be first in the water after the troubling of the water. In John 5:6, upon seeing a man infirm for thirty-eight years, who could not get in the water, Jesus asked: “Wilt thou be made whole?” Then in John 5:8 Jesus simply Commanded: “Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.” Then we read that the man was immediately made whole.
The man in the above account was “infirm” in that he was unable to convey himself from place to place. He was lacking that which would allow him to do so. Jesus supplied that need and made him “whole” or “complete” in a physical sense. When the Jews ask the man why he carried his bed on the Sabbath, the answer is given in John 5:11. He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk.
The Jews were not thrilled that one of their own was healed, and could not rejoice in that the man who had suffered an infirmity for thirty-eight years was made “complete”. Rather, they used the episode to find fault with Jesus as He performed a miracle, and then told the man to do that which was contrary to their traditions. I am afraid that many today allow their “spiritual traditions” to prevent them from becoming “complete” or “whole” in the spiritual sense as they refuse to do all the Word of God Commands that their infirmity of the soul can be healed.
The word “complete” only occurs two times in the KJV New Testament. It is first found in Colossians 2:10. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: The second place is Colossians 4:12. Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. In both of the occurrences, Christ is the catalyst that makes one whole or complete. The first is obvious as one must be “in Christ” to be complete. The second occurrence speaks of the “will of God”. In John 5:30, Jesus’ response to the Jews following the healing of the infirm man shows He came to do the Will of God. I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me. Therefore, it is God’s Will that we be “complete”, and only “in Christ” can we be that way.
Since it is God’s Will that we be complete, and one must be in Christ and remain in Christ to be complete, God has provided the instruction in His Word so we can become complete. We can see from Jesus’ reply in Mark 2:17 that He came to provide the means for one to become “complete” spiritually. They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. God has also promised the reward of eternal heaven to all who become “complete” in Christ, and remain faithfully committed (COMPLETE) for the duration of their life. In 2Peter 3:9 we are told that God desires that all would become “whole”. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
So that those who have become “complete” in Christ can remain “whole” the Spirit gave Paul words to write to the church in Rome in Romans 12:2. These Words apply to Christians today as well. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. This clearly indicates that the world and the things of the world cannot make one whole or complete. This is also supported by 1John 2:15-17, as the Spirit had John write to the church. Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
Compare that with what the Spirit had Paul write to Titus in Titus 1:14 and it is clear that the commandments of men and the truth are not the same things. Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. Couple this with what Jesus stated in John 8:32 and we can see that only by faithfully doing what God has given in His Word can one be complete. And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. Isn’t it time for you to allow Christ to “complete” you? You cannot spend eternity with God unless or until you are “in Christ”. You are not “complete” or “whole” or in Christ until you have obeyed the gospel. Obey the gospel today! Then remain whole by reading and studying His Holy Word and living as it directs.
Dennis Strickland – Mooresville church of Christ
