In a world so filled with philosophers, religions, and man’s ideology, how can we remember that Jesus Christ plus nothing equals absolutely everything good? What can that even possibly mean? Our human thought always wants to believe that we can earn God’s favor. It goes against the human desire for Self-Actualization. Therefore, so often human philosophers and religious leaders desire to list all the “things we must do to please Him.” Otherwise, you remain lost and forsaken by God. Many speak of their moral superiority in how they see social injustice or purport that they have the higher position with God, knowing what is best for the world overall. Yet, ignoring the truth of the gospel message. Professing their humility while displaying their arrogance and pride. Some pretending as though they have heard a new message from God that transforms the Words already written.
That was some of what was happening in the church in Colossae. Some reported hearing a new word from God or special revelations from angels so that they built images of angels to worship. Or some held fast to religious rituals, proclaiming that beyond faith in Christ, one must perform these rituals as well. Yet, the truth is that Absolutely everything that is needed for our salvation comes from Jesus Christ plus nothing more. Our faith in His Completed, perfect atonement for our sin is all that is needed to be saved. He is all that we need or hope to want. Only He can fill the emptiness in our heart.
Jesus Christ plus Nothing is the Missing Piece We Seek
Shel Silverstein wrote a beautifully illustrated children’s book entitled, “The Missing Piece”. A circle with a pie shaped missing piece went throughout its life, singing, “I’m looking for my missing piece. It went on many adventures and found multiple pieces that it tried to fill the hole with.; but to no avail. Finally, it found one piece that it believed fit perfectly; only to find itself miserable because it now had lost the purpose of its adventure. It rolled too fast to enjoy any of life, so it walked away again leaving the other piece behind. That illustration is a lot like us. We chase after many things, philosophies, people, and ideas searching for something to fulfill us. And when we think we have found our place and our purpose, we discover we are still broken with a missing piece.
We were made for a relationship with our creator and nothing else can fulfill us. Furthermore, we need to realize that relationship is built upon the redemptive work of Christ on the cross and only by Him, through Him. Regardless of how hard I try, I cannot restore the relationship with God, seeing I was born with my spirit disconnected from Him. And I do not have the ability to rewire my heart. Built within the conscience of every man, woman and child is a longing, a desire for righteousness, justice, and eternity. God’s common grace provides that, so all might glimpse His glory and want it. Howbeit, pride and the desire to be self-fulfilled stands in our way of hearing the truth. Who would believe that to truly Be More, we must become less?
Human Nature Cannot Believe It Is Christ Plus Nothing
Afterall, if my salvation truly is about nothing that my hands can bring; then, my pride feels squashed underneath the weight. This is a lesson so hard to learn and one that is hard for humans to accept. It is this that Paul is addressing throughout the Colossian letter. Others had come to teach that faith in Christ plus nothing was not sufficient. They wanted to teach that works were required or worshipping angels or rituals. But anything that we add diminishes the truth that it is all about grace and God’s love, His providing the propitiation for our sins. Furthermore, anything that we add diminishes the truth of our absolute depravity apart from Him. We who were dead are made alive by Him.
6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits[a] of the world, (instead of the truth) according to Christ. (Colossians 2 ESV)
NOT ALONE
But they were not the only church being plagued by false teachers. Paul wrote to the Galatians:
6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. (Galatians 1: ESV)
The entire book of Romans is dedicated to displacing the false teachings that had crept in unaware. And to refocus them on the truth that salvation is of God because Jesus Christ paid the price for our sin, that all who believe in Him are sealed by the Holy Spirit until the day of our full redemption from this world.
We face the same dilemma in our society and within the walls of our churches.
Therefore, what does it mean that Salvation is through Jesus Christ Plus Nothing more?
Jesus said, “6 I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14). John 3: 16 “For God so loved the world,[i] that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
Or as Paul wrote in Romans
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel [c]of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” Romans 1 (NET).
21 But now[y] apart from the law the righteousness of God (although it is attested by the law and the prophets)[z] has been disclosed— 22 namely, the righteousness of God through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ[aa] for all who believe. For there is no distinction, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. 24 But they are justified[ab] freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. Romans 3 (NET).
1 [a] Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have[b] peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have also obtained access[c] into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice[d] in the hope of God’s glory. Romans 5 (NET)
1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.[a] 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you[b] free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. Romans 8 (NET)
Concluding Thoughts
It is important to not weaken the truth of the gospel message by adding anything to it. It truly is Christ plus Nothing that I bring to the table that leads to my salvation. That does not mean that I, after salvation do not concern myself regarding my life. The truth of knowing that my salvation is His work alone, compels me to surrender everything to Him. To seek Him with all my heart. And to devote my life entirely to Him. It is a day-by-day process in which the Holy Spirit is teaching my heart to depend fully on Him and to let go of me. It is then true that Jesus Christ plus Nothing equals everything good and right. Only Jesus Christ can fulfill the human heart. To complete it fully. Our being is truly found in Him and Him Alone.
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
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DISCLOSURES
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2021
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Credits
New English Translation (NET)
NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.
New King James Version (NKJV)
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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