Lessons for Christians Today: Fullness and Freedom in Christ

Lessons for Christians Today

Colossians 2

January 11, 2026

Living Fully Free: Why Jesus as Lord Changes Everything

I've spent years saying "Jesus is Lord" without really understanding what that meant for my Tuesday morning or my Friday night. Sure, I believed it theologically—Jesus is God, He's in charge, all that good stuff. But somewhere between my head knowledge and my actual life, there was this enormous gap. I'd make decisions without consulting Him, chase things that left me empty, and wonder why I felt so spiritually depleted even while going through all the religious motions.

Maybe you've been there too. True freedom doesn't come from more options or fewer restrictions. It comes from being rooted in the One who created us, sustained by the only Source that actually fills the God-shaped void in our hearts. When Jesus is genuinely Lord of our lives—not just in name but in practice—everything changes. Not because we're following more rules, but because we're finally connected to the nourishment we've been craving all along.

The Hidden Treasure We're Missing

Paul wrote to the Colossian church from prison, deeply concerned about believers who were being pulled toward empty philosophies and religious practices that looked spiritual but actually distanced them from Christ. His words in Colossians 2:2-3 (CSB) cut right to the heart of what we're all searching for: "I want their hearts to be encouraged and joined together in love, so that they may have all the riches of complete understanding and have the knowledge of God's mystery—Christ. In him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."

Did you catch that? All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Christ. Not some of them. Not the basic stuff while we need to look elsewhere for the advanced teachings. All of it.

It's about discovering that what we thought were limitations are actually the doorway to genuine freedom. When Jesus is Lord of our lives, we're not giving up our autonomy to some cosmic killjoy. We're finally stepping into the fullness we were created for, drawing nourishment from the only Source that can truly sustain us. Because I think many of us—myself included—have been settling for spiritual snacks when a feast has been available all along.

Finding Your Life's True Center: What Does "Jesus is Lord" Actually Mean?

Here's where I have to get vulnerable with you. For years, I compartmentalized my life. Jesus was Lord of my Sundays, maybe my quiet times when I actually had them, but was He really Lord of my career decisions? My relationship choices? How I spent my money or my Friday nights? If I'm honest, I was lord of those areas. I'd pray for God's blessing on my plans rather than seeking His direction for my life.

Romans 12:1-2 (CSB) challenges us: "Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God."

A living sacrifice. That phrase used to make me uncomfortable because it sounds so... absolute. But when Jesus is truly Lord, when we surrender our whole selves to Him, we're not losing our identity—we're finally becoming who we were always meant to be.

Think about it this way: A fish doesn't find freedom on dry land. It finds freedom in water; in the environment it was designed for. When we try to be lord of our own lives, we're like that fish flopping around, gasping, insisting we know better. When Jesus is Lord, we're finally swimming in the grace we were created to thrive in.

But this isn't passive. Colossians 3:16 (CSB) tells us: "Let the word of Christ dwell richly among you, in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts." When Christ's word dwells richly in us, it shapes how we think, how we respond to challenges, how we treat others. It's not about following a checklist—it's about being transformed from the inside out.

Acts 1:8 (CSB) promises us: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." This is the supernatural reality of having Jesus as Lord—we're not doing this in our own strength. The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead lives in us, producing fruit we could never manufacture on our own.

Galatians 5:22-23 (CSB) describes that fruit: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things." These aren't things we white-knuckle our way into. They're the natural overflow of a life rooted in Christ, nourished by His Spirit.

Staying Rooted: Your Life Source Matters More Than You Think

I killed a plant once. Actually, I've killed several plants, but one in particular taught me something important. It was beautiful when I brought it home—lush, green, thriving. I put it in a sunny spot, occasionally remembered to water it, and figured that was enough. Within weeks, it was drooping. Within months, it was dead.

The problem? I never paid attention to its roots. I focused on what I could see above the soil while ignoring what was happening beneath the surface. The roots had nowhere to go, no depth to reach for nutrients, no real foundation.

That's what Paul is warning us about in Colossians 2:6-7 (CSB): "So then, just as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to walk in him, being rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, and overflowing with gratitude."

Being rooted in Christ isn't a one-time event—it's an ongoing posture. And here's the truth many of us don't want to hear: you can't stay rooted in Christ while drawing your primary nourishment from other sources.

Galatians 3:27 (CSB) tells us: “We were identified with Him, united with Him.” But Colossians 3:1-4 (CSB) takes it further: "So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory."

Did you catch that phrase? "Christ, who is your life." Not part of your life. Not an important influence in your life. Your life itself.

What are you actually drawing nourishment from? I'm talking about where you genuinely turn when you're anxious, when you're seeking validation, when you're trying to figure out your worth. Is it social media likes? Career achievements? Relationships? Those things aren't necessarily bad, but they were never designed to be your root system. They can't sustain you.

When we're rooted in Christ, we draw from Him daily. That means His word becomes our compass, not just a nice Sunday supplement. It means prayer becomes our lifeline, not just our emergency parachute. It means we're actively cultivating our relationship with Him, not just maintaining a spiritual routine.

And here's the beautiful part: when your roots go deep in Christ, you become stable. Life's storms—and they will come—don't uproot you. You might bend, you might lose some leaves, but your foundation holds because it's anchored in something unshakeable.

The Danger of Spiritual Window Shopping

Colossians 2:8 (CSB) warns us: "Be careful that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit based on human tradition, based on the elements of the world, rather than Christ." Paul is being protective here. He knows that empty philosophies, no matter how appealing they sound, ultimately lead us away from the only Source of true life.

Our culture loves spiritual buffet-style religion. Take what resonates, leave what doesn't, create your own custom belief system. It sounds tolerant and open-minded. But it's also starving people spiritually because it's built on the lie that all paths lead to the same place, that all sources of nourishment are equally valid. They're not.

And one of the most seductive temptations even for genuine believers is angel worship or giving inappropriate attention to spiritual beings. Exodus 20:3-4 (CSB) is crystal clear: "Do not have other gods besides me. Do not make an idol for yourself, whether in the shape of anything in the heavens above or on the earth below or in the waters under the earth." God doesn't share His glory with anyone or anything, because nothing else deserves that place. Nothing else can actually deliver what only He can provide.

Revelation 22:8-9 (CSB) shows us even angels know their place: "I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. When I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had shown them to me. But he said to me, 'Don't do that! I am a fellow servant with you, your brothers the prophets, and those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.'"

If angels themselves redirect worship to God, how much more should we be careful about where we direct our spiritual attention and devotion? Angels are real, they're God's servants, they're working on His behalf—but they're not meant to be our focus. Only Christ deserves that central place. Focusing our worship and devotion on Christ alone isn't limiting—it's the path to the fullness and freedom we're actually craving.

The Beautiful Truth About Growth: You're Not Supposed to Be Perfect Yet

Can we just acknowledge something that I think many of us secretly struggle with? I look at other Christians who seem to have it all together, whose faith seems so mature and unshakeable, and I wonder what's wrong with me. Why am I still wrestling with doubts? Why do I still lose my temper, still struggle with anxiety, still find myself drawn to old patterns I thought I'd left behind?

Christian growth is a lifelong process, and that's not a bug in the system—it's a feature.

2 Corinthians 1:20 (CSB) gives us this beautiful promise: "For every one of God's promises is 'Yes' in him. Therefore, through him we also say 'Amen' to the glory of God." Every promise God has made finds its fulfillment in Christ. Not some of them. Every single one. That includes the promise that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion (Philippians 1:6).

Your name is written in the book of life. Not in pencil. Not conditionally. If you've placed your faith in Christ, you're secure in Him. That doesn't mean you stop growing or that it doesn't matter how you live—it means you grow from a place of security rather than fear. You're not trying to earn your spot in God's family. You're learning to live as the beloved child you already are.

Think about how much pressure that releases. You don't have to have it all figured out. You don't have to pretend you're further along than you are. You can be honest about your struggles, your questions, your doubts—because your standing before God isn't based on your performance. It's based on Christ's finished work.

This is where so many of us get stuck. We know theologically that we're saved by grace, but we unconsciously believe we're sanctified—made holy—by our own effort. We wear ourselves out trying to be good enough, spiritual enough, consistent enough. And we miss the whole point.

Growth happens when we stay rooted in Christ, drawing nourishment from Him. It happens in community with other believers who encourage and challenge us. It happens as we allow God's word to transform our thinking. It happens as we cooperate with the Holy Spirit's work in our lives rather than trying to manufacture change through sheer willpower.

And yes, it happens slowly. Sometimes painfully slowly. But it is happening if you're willing to keep showing up, keep returning to Christ, keep saying yes to His work in your life even when it's uncomfortable.

Living Free: What This Actually Looks Like Day to Day

What does all this mean for your actual life? How does "fullness in freedom in Christ" translate from theological concept to Tuesday morning reality? When Jesus is truly Lord, when I'm rooted in Him and drawing nourishment from His word and His Spirit, it changes everything—not in dramatic, cinematic ways, but in a thousand small decisions throughout my day.

• It changes how I respond when someone cuts me off in traffic because I remember I'm called to patience and kindness, fruit that grows from connection to Christ, not from my own strength.

• It changes how I make decisions about my career because I'm seeking God's will rather than just maximizing my income or prestige.

• It changes how I handle conflict in relationships because I'm secure enough in Christ's love that I don't need to be right or win every argument.

• It changes how I respond to anxiety because I can bring it to God instead of trying to control everything myself or medicate it with temporary distractions.

• It changes how I spend my free time because I'm thinking about what nourishes my soul rather than just what entertains me.

Freedom in Christ doesn't mean we never struggle. It means we struggle differently. We struggle from a place of being rooted, established, secure. We struggle while drawing on resources beyond ourselves. We struggle with hope rather than despair because we know who holds us.

True freedom comes through surrender. The more I surrender areas of my life to Christ's lordship, the freer I become. Not because I'm following a new set of rules, but because I'm finally aligned with how I was designed to function. I'm that fish back in the water, swimming freely because I'm in the environment I was created for.

The Invitation to Fullness

If you're feeling a bit overwhelmed, I get it. Maybe you're realizing that Jesus has been more of a helpful advisor in your life than actual Lord. Maybe you're recognizing that you've been drawing nourishment from sources that were never meant to sustain you. Maybe you're seeing how you've added other spiritual practices or focuses that have slowly pulled your attention away from Christ.

There's no guilt trip here. This is an invitation. Christ doesn't just offer you forgiveness for your past—He offers you fullness for your present and your future. He offers you the freedom that comes from being rooted in Him, the stability that comes from drawing your life from the only Source that never runs dry.

You don't have to have it all figured out before you take the next step. You just have to be willing to say, "Jesus, I want You to truly be Lord of my life. Not just in theory, but in practice. Not just on Sundays, but on Mondays and Thursdays and Friday nights. I want to be rooted in You, nourished by You, secured in You."

That's not a prayer you pray once and you're done. It's a prayer you'll probably pray a hundred times, in a hundred different situations, as you learn what it means to walk with Him. And that's okay. That's the lifelong process of growth we've been talking about.

Colossians 2:10 (CSB) promises us: "You have been filled by him, who is the head over every ruler and authority."

You have been filled. Not partially. Not conditionally. In Christ, you have access to everything you need for life and godliness. The treasure isn't hidden somewhere you need to search for it—it's hidden in Him, and you already have Him.

The question isn't whether fullness and freedom are available. They are. The question is whether you'll stop settling for less, stop looking elsewhere, and start drawing from the One who's been offering you everything all along.

Your Action Plan: Practical Steps Toward Living Rooted and Free

Here are concrete steps you can take to grow deeper in Christ and experience the fullness and freedom.

Daily Practices:

Morning Root Check (5-10 minutes) Before you check your phone, before you jump into your to-do list, spend 5-10 minutes acknowledging Christ as Lord of this day. This isn't about lengthy prayer time—it's about intentional surrender. Try praying something like: "Jesus, You are Lord of this day. Help me stay rooted in You through whatever comes. Show me where I'm trying to be lord instead of You."

Scripture Nourishment Choose one verse or short passage to meditate on throughout your day. This week, start with Colossians 2:6-7. Write it on a note card, set it as your phone background, or put it somewhere you'll see it multiple times. Each time you see it, pause for 30 seconds to let it sink deeper. This is how Christ's word begins to dwell richly in you—not through marathon study sessions you can't maintain, but through consistent nourishment.

Evening Reflection (5 minutes) Before bed, ask yourself three questions:

1. Where did I sense Christ's lordship in my life today?

2. Where did I try to operate as my own lord?

3. What do I need to surrender to Him for tomorrow?

Write brief answers in a journal or notes app. You'll be amazed at what patterns emerge.

Weekly Practices:

Root System Audit Set aside 30 minutes each week to honestly assess where you're drawing nourishment. Ask yourself:

• What do I turn to first when I'm stressed or anxious?

• Where am I seeking validation or worth?

• What consumes most of my thought life?

• Are there any spiritual practices or philosophies I've added that might be pulling my focus from Christ?

Be brutally honest. This is about awareness so you can make intentional changes.

Community Connection Find at least one other believer to regularly talk with about your spiritual growth. This could be a weekly coffee, a phone call, or even text check-ins. Share what you're learning, where you're struggling, and pray for each other. Colossians 2:2 talks about hearts being "joined together in love"—we need each other for this journey.

Sabbath Practice Choose one day (or even just one evening) each week to intentionally rest and draw nourishment from Christ without the pressure of productivity. Read Scripture not for study but for enjoyment. Pray without a list of requests. Take a walk and talk to God. The point is to practice being rather than doing, rooted rather than striving.

Monthly Practices:

Deep Dive Study Once a month, spend 1-2 hours digging deeper into one of the key passages we've discussed. Read the whole chapter in context. Look up cross-references. Journal about what you're discovering. Consider these passages:

• Month 1: Colossians 2 (the whole chapter)

• Month 2: Romans 12

• Month 3: Galatians 5

• Month 4: Colossians 3

Lordship Inventory Look at the major areas of your life: relationships, finances, career, how you spend your time, what you consume (media, food, etc.). For each area, honestly ask: "Is Jesus Lord here, or am I?" Identify one area that needs specific surrender and create a concrete plan for inviting Christ's lordship into that space.

Worship and Gratitude Check Review your last month. Where did you see fruit of the Spirit growing in your life? Where did God prove faithful? Write out specific examples and thank Him. This trains us to recognize His work in our lives and reinforces our trust in Him as Lord.

Ongoing Practices:

When Tempted by Other "Sources" When you're tempted to look to other spiritual practices, philosophies, or even angel fascination, pause and ask: "Am I looking here because Christ seems insufficient, or am I just looking for something that feels more exciting or exotic?" Then remind yourself of Colossians 2:3—all treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Christ. Return to Him first.

When Struggling with Doubt About Security When you doubt your standing before God, open your Bible to these promises and read them out loud:

• 2 Corinthians 1:20 - All God's promises are "Yes" in Christ

• Colossians 2:13-14 - Your debts have been canceled

• Colossians 3:3 - Your life is hidden with Christ in God

Let truth shape your feelings rather than letting feelings determine your truth.

When Growth Feels Too Slow Remember that Christian growth is lifelong. On hard days, go back and read your journal entries from months ago. You'll likely see growth you couldn't recognize in the moment. Be patient with yourself the way God is patient with you.

Your Immediate First Step:

Before you close this article, do these three things right now:

Pray this prayer (or something similar in your own words): "Jesus, I want You to be Lord of my life in practice, not just in theory. Show me where I need to surrender control to You. Help me stay rooted in You and draw my life from You alone. I trust that You have everything I need."

Remember, you're not trying to earn God's love or prove your worth. You're learning to live from the secure place of being rooted in Christ, drawing from Him, growing in Him. That's not pressure—that's invitation. And He's with you every step of the way.

The fullness and freedom you've been craving? They're found in being deeply rooted in the One who created you, sustained by the only Source that actually satisfies. So let's stop settling for spiritual snacks and start feasting on the fullness that's available in Christ alone.

You don't have to do this perfectly. You just have to keep coming back to the Source. And He'll take care of the growth.

Blessings, Donna