[2:8-23] In Jesus dwells all the fullness of God. This makes Jesus fully God. Verse 9b says, “…Christ, who is the head over
every ruler and authority.” When believers
identify with Christ, they have been spiritually circumcised [the cutting away of the
sinful nature]. This is a beautiful
picture of the Christian relationship with Jesus Christ. Salvation is not a ritualistic procedure… it
is a union with God that transforms believers to a new way of living. This is done by the power of God. It is by placing your faith in Jesus and in
Him alone for your salvation. Verse 12
says, “For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him, you were raised to new life
because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead.” When Jesus died for mankind, he paid the penalty for sin. According to verse 14, “He canceled the record
of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross.”
Paul warns the church to not let anyone condemn them… he warns that
these individuals have not died with Christ.
Verse 20a says, “You have died with Christ, and he has set you free from
the spiritual powers of this world.” If
you walk with Christ you are free from these rules because according to verse
23b, “… they provide no help in conquering a person’s evil desires.”
