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SOUNDING OUT:
Complete But Not Completed
It is difficult to think of something as complete unless it is fixed and unchanging. However, there are different kinds of completeness. “Complete” is not the same as “completed.” A seed is complete. It is fixed and tightly sealed in its rigid case. It contains everything within its genetic code to produce what it is supposed to; it just needs to be planted. So in one sense it is complete.
However, the seed is not complete, if by complete you mean completed. The seed has not yet begun to do its thing. It dies and a new plant begins (I Corinthians 15:36).
A seed is small, sealed, and perfect—complete. But this self-enclosed, walled-around mass has the potential power of expanding and growing into whatever is written in its genetic code. It may become a blade of grass, a rose, a redwood tree, a toad, an elephant, a human being. In reproducing itself it may become infinitely more. It may expand into generations of roses, redwood trees, or human beings. How can we predict the outcome of a single seed. For then we must set limits on the universe!
We quickly learn to identify the difference between and apple seed and a cucumber seed and a tomato seed. We can measure their height and weight. But we cannot foresee the expanse into which it can grow.
Living things begin as a single cell. We see nothing that began in any other way except as a seed, a cell, or an egg. Then, cell by cell, it grows. This is a universal rule of the living world. Nothing starts out full-grown. Everything gets to grow.
We are not all we may become. We are not fully developed, our faculties have not completely matured. We have within us the power to develop and mature.
When we were born-again of God’s incorruptible seed we got the complete package. Within that seed is everything we needed. We are not lacking one single thing. We are completely, completely, absolutely, complete.
Colossians 2:10a:
And ye are complete in him…
However, our growth is still underway. God has not finished with us yet. There is still fruit of the spirit to develop. We are to bear much fruit. Our lives should be a wonderful display of the nature of God within us. We should exude love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. God is not done with us yet. He still wants to be actively and integrally involved in our lives. Paul was confident of it and so am I.
Philippians 1:6:
Being confident of this very thing, that he [God] which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
God will continue to work within us to will and to do of his good pleasure. Until Christ comes back for us and we see him face to face we can anticipate the loving hand of our heavenly Father nurturing us along our way.
We have some growing to do. That means we have some changing to do, too. If there happens to be some growing pains along the way, don’t be surprised. God will never allow us to face any temptation we can not endure and overcome.
I Corinthians 10:13:
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it
God will get us through anything and everything as more than conquerors, if we let Him. He has so much in store for us. Let’s be conformed to the image of His son and become more Christ-like day by day.
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