Category Archives: Fulfill

Bible, Completeness, Fulfill, Righteousness, Romans, Scripture

THE END OF THE LAW

ROMANS 10:4

“For Christ is the end of the Law for righteousness to everyone who believes.”

Coming to the end of something can be either rewarding or sad. Take for instance, finishing your college degree is a very rewarding accomplishment. Getting that diploma with all the pomp and circumstance that goes with it can be a milestone in your life. In contrast, coming to the end of a relationship can be depressing and hollow. But life is full of endings, isn’t it?

Today’s verse has been the topic of much disagreement in the scholarly world. Some say this verse meant that Jesus ended the ceremonial law while others say it refers to the moral law. But I tend to agree with Barnes here that “by faith in Christ the same end is accomplished in regard to our justification, that would be by perfect obedience to the moral law.” The Jews were trying to reach this perfect ending by perfectly obeying the law, which we know is not possible. It was like the goalpost kept getting moved. It was like they would take two steps forward and one step back (or vice versa). Paul states here that Jesus was the fulfillment of the law that they were all searching for. His righteousness was the answer.

APPLICATION

How can we apply this truth to our lives? Well, let me ask you a question. What are you trying to do to gain righteousness? Well Carl, I go to church every Sunday. I give ten percent to the church. I rescue little kittens off the street. Okay, that last one was pushing it, lol. But you get the picture. We try to accomplish something that has already been accomplished. We don’t need to do a thing to gain this righteousness. We simply accept it as a gift from the Father once we place our trust in His Son.

The Greek word for “end” is telos. It is used extensively throughout the New Testament and is defined as end, completion, and even purpose. This last definition fits well in today’s verse. Christ was the full purpose of the law. I’ve said it before, but it bears repeating. Christ wasn’t God’s plan B in case His plan A failed (the Mosaic Law). No! God planned from the beginning to supply the perfect purpose, His Son Jesus. He was the only remedy for fallen man.

When you come to the end of yourself, you find you need a purpose. I have a friend who has a son who is trying to find his purpose in life. He currently has no motivation to do much of anything. I told my friend that his son needs purpose. Every man needs a purpose. God has given us that. Jesus is the ultimate purpose, the ultimate end result. He is the only provider of righteousness. Trust Him with that and tell others how they can find their end in Him.

Lord God, thank You for giving us the telos in Christ. He fulfills us all.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

Standard
Bible, Completion, Fulfill, Ministry, Scripture

FULFILL YOUR MINISTRY

COLOSSIANS 4:17

“Tell Archippus, ‘See to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, so that you may fulfill it.’”

I am nearing the end of my ministry season. I began it back in 1979 when I served as a part-time Music and Youth Director at Bishop Baptist Church located outside of Athens, GA where I attended college at the University of Georgia. My ministry years have seen me in six states and numerous countries internationally. What a ride. I want to finish well.

As Paul ends this letter to the Colossians, he asks them to deliver a message to Archippus. He tells him to watch after the ministry he has “received in the Lord so that” he “may fulfill it.” I want us to camp out today on that last phrase – “may fulfill it.” What did Paul mean by that? Why did he tell Archippus this in particular?

APPLICATION

Strong’s Lexicon says this about the Greek word for “may fulfill.” “The verb pléroó primarily conveys the idea of filling something to its full capacity or bringing something to completion.” Paul was telling Archippus to bring his ministry to completion. It’s interesting that Archippus means “Master of horses.” It was a name which represented strength. Maybe that is why he became one of Paul’s “solidiers” (Philemon 1:2).

Jesus used the word in Luke 4:21. “Now He began to say to them, ‘Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.’” Just as Jesus fulfilled His ministry on earth, you and I have a mandate from Him to fulfill ours. Wait a minute, Carl. I am not in full-time ministry. Oh really? Are you a believer? Do you claim to be a follower of Christ? Francis Chan said (and I am paraphrasing), “The trouble with calling yourself a follower of Christ is you don’t follow Christ.”

What is your ministry? How do you fulfill it? You fulfill your calling by continuing every day to put Christ first in all your interactions with people or circumstances. All we know of Archippus is his mention in two verses. That’s it! But he obviously had a ministry which Paul was concerned about him finishing. Jesus wants us to fulfill our ministry with Him also. Will you do that? Finish the course! Keep fighting every day!

Father God, I want to finish well! I give You praise for the ministry to which You have called me.

Standard