There are many words we use to describe the Lord Jesus Christ, but one that ought to bring great comfort to every believer is the word “sufficient.” To say Christ is sufficient means that He is enough. He is not almost enough or only partially enough. He is completely enough: He is sufficient! He is enough for salvation, enough for sorrow, enough for strength, enough for service, enough for today, enough for tomorrow, enough for life and enough for death.
Paul wrote in Colossians 2:9-10, “For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him…” That is a wonderful truth. The believer is not complete in himself, his works, his feelings, his circumstances, or his religious efforts. The believer is complete in Christ.
The world constantly tells people they need more. More money. More recognition. More pleasure. More approval. More success. Yet the soul of man remains restless because nothing in this world can truly satisfy what only God can fill. A person can gain much and still feel empty. A person may be surrounded by people and still feel alone. A person may appear successful and still be troubled within.
That is because our greatest need is not found in earthly things. Our greatest need is Christ.
Why is Christ sufficient? Christ is sufficient because of who He is. He is not merely a teacher, prophet, or good example. He is God in the flesh. John 1:1 says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Then John 1:14 says, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us…” Because Jesus is God, He is able to do what no man could ever do.
He is sufficient for salvation. We are sinners, and sin separates man from God. Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” No amount of good works, church attendance, baptism, morality, or sincerity can wash away sin. But Jesus came to save sinners. He died on the cross, shed His blood, was buried, and rose again. When He cried, “It is finished,” the payment for sin was complete. Salvation is Christ alone.
He is sufficient for our standing before God. Many believers struggle because they look too much at themselves and not enough at Christ. Our assurance is not based on how strong we feel, how well we perform or how perfectly we live. Our standing is based on the finished work of Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:6 says that God “ hath made us accepted in the beloved.”
We are accepted because of Him.
Christ is also sufficient for our strength. Paul had a thorn in the flesh and asked God to remove it. Instead, the Lord said in II Corinthians 12:9, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”
God does not always remove the burden, but He always gives grace to bear it. He does not always explain the trial, but He is faithful in the trial.
He is sufficient in sorrow. Life brings tears, grief, disappointment, and pain. Christians are not exempt from heartache, but we do not sorrow alone. Psalm 34:18 says, “The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart…” Jesus knows our grief. He stood at the grave of Lazarus, and the Bible simply says, “ Jesus wept.” The same Saviour who saves the soul is near to the broken heart.
He is sufficient for service. None of us are strong enough, wise enough, or faithful enough in ourselves to do the work of God. But II Corinthians 3:5 says, “ Not that we are sufficient of ourselves… but our sufficiency is of God.” What God calls us to do, He enables us to do.
The great need of our day is not a larger view of ourselves, but a larger view of Christ. If you have Christ, you have enough. If you do not have Christ, whatever else you have will never be enough.
“And ye are complete in him…” What a promise. What a Saviour. Christ is sufficient.
Jimmy Barrett is a resident of Blackshear and pastor of Southside Baptist Church in Waycross.
