Tuesday: Standing Perfect and Complete
Daily Lesson for Tuesday 24th of March 2026
Books have been written about the purpose-driven life and the purpose-driven church. While “purpose-driven” may not be quite right, a clear “purpose focus” is vital for accomplishing any meaningful endeavor. Paul’s life and ministry, as well as that of his coworkers and the other apostles, exemplify this focus (see Philippians 3:13-14). The results speak for themselves—the gospel spread rapidly throughout the Roman Empire and beyond (Colossians 1:23). The same focus is needed today.
Read Colossians 4:12-13. What purpose is described, and how is it to be accomplished?
Image © Rolf Jansson from GoodSalt.com
As we mentioned in an earlier lesson, Epaphras was probably instrumental in the spread of the gospel to Colossae and to the nearby cities of Laodicea and Hierapolis (see Lesson 1). His greetings and prayers for these churches were no doubt greatly encouraging to believers there. Epaphras’s prayers had a clear focus—that the Colossians would “stand perfect and complete in all the will of God” (Colossians 4:12). Let’s consider more carefully the rich components of this prayer.
Stand. The word means to stand firm and unmoved, which is possible only by being “grounded and steadfast” in the faith and confident of the truth of the gospel (Colossians 1:23, NKJV). The same word is used several times by Paul in reference to the battle against “the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11) and withstanding the forces of darkness through divine power by putting on “the whole armour of God” (Ephesians 6:10-18; compare 2 Timothy 2:19).
Perfect. The word refers to the perfection of character that finds its ultimate expression in sacrificial love (Matthew 5:44,48) by those who will never claim to have “arrived” (Philippians 3:12-15, NIV).
Complete. This powerful word means to satisfy fully or bring something to full measure. It is used of Abraham’s being “fully convinced” that God would do what He promised, though humanly impossible (Romans 4:21, NKJV), and Paul’s being strengthened by the Lord so that “the message might be preached fully” through him (2 Timothy 4:17, NKJV).
All the will of God. The word “all” is comprehensive. Paul himself prayed that the Colossians would be filled with a knowledge of God’s will, “live worthily of the Lord and please him in all respects” (Colossians 1:9-10, NET) through “His glorious power” (Colossians 1:11, NKJV).
We get ourselves thoroughly knotted trying to explain perfection and completeness. And we add to the confusion by adding a whole dictionary of theological terms and their meainings and nuances in different contexts. So, I will be as short as I can.
Jesus said:
The story is told of a conversation some of the saints were having in heaven about how they got there. Someone asks the thief on the cross how he got there. He said that all he knew was that the chap on the cross next to him said “Come! and here I am.” For those of us who have lived a longer life than the thief, if the only thing we ever do is respond to that call we too are saved. That is perfection and completeness in Jesus. Only those who refuse to respond are lost. Any description we add to that has the potential to obfuscate salvation.
Maurice, responding to Jesus’ call, like the thief on the cross, is the starting point of salvation. Growing in Christ isn’t what saves us—it’s the evidence that our initial response was genuine. Our spiritual growth shows that the “yes” we gave to Jesus continues to bear fruit in our lives, confirming the authenticity of our faith.
How can sinners possibly stand perfect and complete? What does Paul mean, “stand perfect and complete” (Colossian 4:12)? Paul is not referring to a sinless and flawless state, but he is encouraging believers to mature spiritually. This is the expectation for each one of us. Once we have accepted Christ, we are expected to grow spiritually and produce good fruit. In the previous lesson 10, we examined “Rooted and Growing in Christ”. Being rooted in Christ brings stability, stability brings growth, growth brings maturity, and maturity brings fruition. This should be our ultimate desire that we may grow in Christ and bear the fruit of the spirit. Paul is encouraging that in Christ we are made complete. “And in Christ you have been brought to fullness.” (Colossians 2:10). On our own we are completely nothing, but in Christ’s righteousness we stand before God complete. We are comforted that our Lord is faithful, “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion…” (Philippians 1:6). This is the confidence we have in Christ that He will not leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).
We are often told that truth is simple – which it is. While it is simple, it is also very deep. Both the simplicity and depth of truth tell us something about God’s Character (Jesus being the embodiment of truth). Those of us who love digging into the incredible depth of truth often need to be reminded of the simplicity of truth. Those of us who love the childlike simplicity of truth often need to be reminded of its unending depth.
Paul appears to be addressing the church, which means his description of perfection, maturity, and God’s will is within this context. However, the collective responsibility does not negate individual responsibility (both to the church, and individually) because both are vitally related. Indeed, I would suggest it is the discussions we have around concepts like growth, perfection, and the like that contributes to the environment for growth!
When we have accepted Christ as our Saviour, we cannot be more saved, but we can be more safe (more mature). Failure to recognise this can create an environment of self-focused insecurity usually making discussions on growth/maturity/perfection highly emotive and often destructive.
Every year I make noble but impulsive resolutions changing my eating habits, drinking more water, becoming a better version of myself yet I often break them before the ink even dries. This cycle can feel discouraging, even defeating. But the call to growth in Christ is not like a fragile resolution that depends on human strength alone. As Paul the Apostle writes, spiritual maturity is about being formed and completed in faith, growing steadily into the likeness of our Heavenly Father. Scripture reminds us, “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on…” (Philippians 3:12). This journey is not about instant perfection, but about persistent, grace-filled progress.
Following Jesus Christ calls us to maturity, completeness, and wholehearted devotion, not as a burden, but as a path to true freedom. His command is not an invitation to repeated failure, but a loving call to surrender every part of ourselves heart, soul, mind, and strength to Him. As I put on the full armor of God and seek to know Him more deeply, I grow in grace and truth. As it is written, “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). Though this standard may seem beyond reach, it is through Christ that I am strengthened, transformed, and made perfect and complete.
Epaphras shows us what it looks like to care deeply about spiritual growth. He prays earnestly that others will be “perfect and complete in the will of God.” That kind of desire—to see Christ fully formed in each other—should be ours too.
But notice the balance. He’s fervent, not frantic. He labors in prayer, not pressure. He’s not trying to produce perfection—he’s trusting God to do the work.
That’s especially important when we think about victory over sin. Growth in Christ matters, but it should never become an obsession or something we stress over. Our focus isn’t on achieving perfection, but on staying connected to Christ.
So yes, let’s share Epaphras’ desire—but hold it the way he did: in prayer, in trust, and without turning it into pressure.
Uniting heaven and earth is also about believers interceding in prayer for fellow believers. Someone sang that “prayer is the master key”. We need to pray against temptation,for protection and provision as well as our salvation.
There is only one way to achieve perfection and completeness: Jesus!
I disagree with this. I think purpose driven is better than purpose focus. That’s why most of the Adventists are not doing something because they are just focused (bystanders) but not doers.
Purpose-focused → can stay in the mind (thinking, discussing, planning)
Purpose-driven → moves into action (doing, serving, engaging)
Purpose focus is correct—but if it doesn’t lead to action, then it’s incomplete. The church must be both focused and driven.