This dissertation, composed by Jeffrey B. Quante III, my
father, was originally written for me, but I feel it must be
shared. My father is a genuine Christian man and leader, I see
many characteristics of Christ in him, thus this dissertation
reveals a revelation of his, founded upon Colossians 2:6-10.
Before we read into his revelation from God, I would like to
make known to you that the Church of Christ is built upon
revelation knowledge. If it were not for devout men of God/
such as my father, we would not have a vast understanding of the
scriptures as we do today. In Paul's epistle to the Ephesians,
he expresses the depths of his prayers pertaining to the church
of Ephesus, he writes: "...after I heard of your faith in the
Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, Cease not to give
thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; That the
God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto
you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may
know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the
glory of his inheritance in the saints."(Eph. 1:15-18).
Therefore let us begin with my father's dissertation. The
context of the scripture is Colossians 2:6-10, "As ye have
therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:
Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye
have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Beware
lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after
the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not
after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the
Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of
all principality and power" (Rule and Authority).
[by Jeffrey B. Quante III]
(vs. 6) God, the Father, has an expectation for us, in that
as we have come to the awareness of our sin nature and rebellion
against Him through the revelation of His Word applied to our
hearts by the Holy Spirit who has brought conviction of our
sinfulness to us. And graciously revealed the true person of
Jesus Christ to us as the God-Man who alone could pay the
penalty for our sins and re-establish a Creator to creature
relationship which was originally intended for all mankind
(Amen).
Now that the sin has been dealt with, God expects us to
resume the fellowship He had with mankind prior to "The Fall".
This relationship is properly portrayed by His Son Jesus
Christ and Jesus, relationship with God the Father, our perfect
example of God's expectation for us.
(vs.7) This does not happen instantly, but requires
deepening faith which is facilitated by the direct proportion of
our study of the Word, accompanied by application, and
repentance from our former ways, to a life of Holy Spirit led
Christ's ways/ which we follow in obedience, proving our love to
Jesus, as we say NO to self and YES to God's Word, rejoicing in
the decision which is accompanied by NO GUILT and grants
freedom, joy, and peace to our hearts.
(vs-8) Anything less than this progression needs to be
examined carefully and held-up to the authority of scripture.
Man would make a way to avoid crucifying his own flesh and will
always attempt a "reasonable" justification for his actions.
But, the end result is NOT freedom, joy and peace, but
condemnation, bondage, and sorrow. Simply because he rejects
the truth about himself, and does not understand or know who
Jesus Christ really is.
( I I )
(vs-9) Jesus is (a mystery) the express representation of
the Triune God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), sent by God the
Father (for He is the invisible God who cannot be seen-for a good
reason-we would die instantly). By the natural birth of His Son
through Mary, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born into the
world as growing up into a man but more, always God, Hence, the
God-Man, sinless, obedient to God the Father, His Father,
nurtured by the study of scripture, as He was the personification
of scripture (the Word made flesh) and He presented to us the
perfect example of what God the Father desires of us in
relationship. Jesus was and is the mysterious embodiment of the
complete character of God, openly displayed for mankind to see
and touch, documented for all time by the recorded Word, before
He came and after He came, and providing us the evidence and
expectation of His soon return and eternal reign as King of kings
and Lord of lords. With this revelation of Jesus we fittingly
know our place in creation, by whom, for what reason and our
eternal place in His Kingdom; all ours IF we become overcomers
which is a PROOF of our love for Him. Jesus said, "If you love
me, keep my commandments" (John 14:15). And He goes on to
explain why obedience is the only proof of our love for Him in
chapter 15 of John and how we can only be successful through the
power of the Holy Spirit, denying ourselves of pride.
(vs.10) Now with that background of understanding fully
obtained by meditation of the Word and God applying to our hearts
as a rhema given by the Holy Spirit for our edification and
understanding-we come to learn of our freedom in Jesus Christ.
No longer do we have anything of ourselves to prove to the
world (the basis of pride), for we know who we are, why we were
created (to have fellowship and enjoy God), to be instruments of
righteousness, holy unto the Lord as an undeniable witness to the
world, brought in subjection to the will of the Holy Spirit
(crucifying our flesh) who leads us daily- moment by moment- in
accordance with scripture. We find ourselves COMPLETE in Jesus
Christ, it is finished!! No longer do we attempt to come to God
by religion, we come by faith in His Son. Oh what wonderful
benefits we have by this faith/obedience relationship; Jesus
shares with us His inheritance as Lord of all creation. We shall
reign with Him at the time appointed.(Eph. 1:7-2:10, II Tim.
2:i2; crucifying the flesh).
Now with this understanding, we can face each day with
victory (in and through Jesus Christ) over every circumstance,
victory over our old nature, victory over our fears, because we
know............. WE ARE COMPLETE IN CHRIST!
To God be the glory for ever and ever. Amen.
This completes this dissertation composed by my wonderful father
written on June 14, 2000.
I just want to give praise unto God, for the rich blessing
of having such a godly father, who has found a large place in my
heart. I find it quite amazing in the fact that God has given my
father and I a closer relationship due to our private
relationship with the everlasting Father. For we serve a awesome
God who never ceases to do awesome things to those who love Him!
"And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and 1 pray
God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless
unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that
calleth you, who also will do it" (I Thessalonians 5:23-24).
In His honor and glory, Jeffrey B. Quante IV
