Understand this "You are complete in Christ"

In the movie, Jerry McGuire, we have the now famous line, "You complete me." (Holding back my tears...come on David; be strong). It is the dream of all romantics to find that person that completes them, but is that what Scripture tells us completeness actually is?

In Matthew 5:48 we find Jesus preaching on a mountain side and he says this curious and difficult phrase, "Be perfect for you Father in heaven is perfect." The Greek word is "teleios" and is better translated "having reached it's end" or "complete." In other words, perfect is not as good a translation as complete. Understand that through Jesus Christ we are made complete as the Father is complete (or whole to put it another way). That is why money, or fame, or material wealth, or love, or addicitve behaviors never really end that search for completeness. People, things, and lifestyles don't complete us...Jesus Christ does.

In the word "teleios" we find the root word "telos" from which it is formed. Telos means the end. As when the disciples asked Jesus to tell them about the end (the telos) of all things. Our completeness has reached its end in Jesus. We don't have to go searching anymore. We don't have to go winning God's approval. We are made complete in him.

What have you been using or seeking to find completeness? Love, material goods, addictive behaviors, trying to find new ways or ministries to please God? My suggestion for you is to meditate on Matthew 5:48. Then refelct on the newfound completeness you have in Jesus Christ. Or at least think about it...