6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. 8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ (Colossians 2.6-8).[1] In 1986 Sybil and I got married, some people did not think it was a good idea, others were excited for us, and yet others had no opinion. However, it did not matter what they all thought or did, we still got married, we loved each other, we believed God was calling us together and it was the right thing to do. We had no idea how life would turn out, where we would go or any of the ups and down that would come. What we did know was we were married and we would be together through it all, working, striving, trying to figure out what we needed to do each and every day. Thirty-Four years later we are still in love, working, striving, trying to figure it out, but this we know we are continuing down the path God has given to us.
This is what Paul is trying to get across to us in verse six (6), “just as you have received Christ Jesus”, remember how it was, remember back to the day when Christ came into your life? When Christ became your Lord and Savior? How did you feel? What did you do for Him, are you still doing those things and having those feelings as you are still His child? Paul reminds us we are to “continue to live our lives in Him” (vs. 6). We cannot go backwards, which we have a tendency to do. We like to say we have Jesus Christ in our life, how He is in there, but He is not really in charge. He is not really leading or guiding us in any way, we are just doing and living however we choose. This is not the life God intended for His children when He sent His Son into the world to set it free. Understand, you must be rooted in Jesus Christ. Some of the reasons we do not stay faithful to the things God has called us to is, we are not rooted in Him. And sometimes it is because we are not sure how to stay rooted in Christ. There are at least three things we must do if we want to maintain a powerful relationship with Christ, or we might say to stay rooted in Christ:
If we are not rooted in God then the influences of the world have a greater effect on our lives. We will allow kinds of things to affect our decision-making process, we will allow the devil to influence us, we will allow our friends to cause us to make bad decisions. In other words, we will no longer be relying on Christ in our life, but the world and all its corruptness to guide us each day (Judges 17.6, 21.25; Romans 1.18-32; I Timothy 4.3-4; II Timothy 3.1-9). Application
Prayer Our Great and Awesome God in Heaven, Lord over all the Universe. I come to You today seeking Your guidance and grace to help me find my desire, will and drive that I first had when You first entered my life. Lord renew Your Spirit within me, give me a fire to share Your Word, and help me to be rooted in Your truth, in Your ways, and in Your understanding. Lord it is only in You that I can ever stay on course and not be led astray. Help me with my focus, help me spend time in Your Word, in prayer with You and in fellowship with other like-minded believers. Lord You know what I need, and I want You working in and through my life each and every day. All this I pray in Your Son Jesus Christ’s Dear Name, Amen. [1] The New International Version. (2011). (Col 2:6–8). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan. [2] New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (Ac 17:10–12). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Author
|