why does Paul say we are “without covenants”
but complete in Christ?
(Colossians 2:10)
This question settles a lot of confusion.
Because many believers today are trying to claim a covenant God never made with them.
They say:
“We are under the New Covenant.”
But Paul says something very different.
And if we don’t slow down and listen carefully…
we mix Israel and the Church.
Law and grace.
Earthly promises and heavenly blessings.
And the Bible feels tangled.
But when you rightly divide…
everything falls into place.
Simple.
Clear.
Beautiful.
▪️Start with what Paul actually says
“At that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise…”
— Ephesians 2:12
Strangers.
Not partners.
Not participants.
Not heirs of those covenants.
Strangers.
That’s us.
Gentiles.
The Body of Christ.
And then he says:
“And ye are complete in him.”
— Colossians 2:10
Did you see it?
Without covenants…
yet complete.
So our blessings cannot come from a covenant.
Because Paul says we already have everything without one.
▪️So who is the New Covenant for?
Let Scripture answer.
God said:
“I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah.”
— Jeremiah 31:31
Not the Body of Christ.
Not Gentiles.
Israel and Judah.
A nation.
A kingdom people.
An earthly program.
And what comes with that covenant?
• the Law written in their hearts
• national restoration
• forgiveness tied to Israel’s kingdom
• earthly blessings
• a throne in Jerusalem
That’s prophecy.
That’s Israel’s hope.
Not ours.
▪️But today… something different happened
Not covenant.
Not prophecy.
Not promises made since Abraham.
Something kept secret.
Paul calls it:
“The mystery… hid in God.” (Eph. 3:9)
This wasn’t promised.
It wasn’t prophesied.
It wasn’t spoken by the prophets.
It was revealed directly to Paul.
And what is it?
Not a covenant people…
But a Body.
Not law written in hearts…
But Christ living in us.
Not earthly kingdom…
But heavenly places.
Not partial blessing…
But complete.
▪️Don’t miss this word: COMPLETE
Not waiting.
Not lacking.
Not probation.
Not “almost.”
Complete.
Right now.
In Christ.
You don’t need a covenant to secure you.
You already have Christ Himself.
And Christ is better than any covenant.
▪️Here’s the simple contrast
Israel
• Covenants
• Promises
• Law
• Earthly kingdom
• Prophecy
Body of Christ
• No covenants
• Pure grace
• No law contract
• Heavenly position
• Mystery
Not inferior.
Not second.
Just different.
Actually higher.
Because we’re not tied to an agreement.
We’re joined to a Person.
▪️Why this matters for your heart
If you think you’re under the New Covenant…
you’ll constantly feel like you must perform.
Like you must keep conditions.
Like you must hold up your end.
That’s contract thinking.
But grace says:
“It’s already finished.”
Not:
👉 “If you obey, I’ll bless you.”
But:
👉 “You’re already blessed in Christ.”
That produces rest.
Security.
Joy.
Real gratitude.
So today remember:
You are not under Israel’s covenants.
You are not under a contract.
You are not negotiating with God.
You are:
Forgiven.
Sealed.
Accepted.
Complete.
Complete in Him.
And honestly?
That’s far better than any covenant ever made.
