In Christ

Col. 2:1-7

Paul struggled for the Colossians and the Laodiceans not because he wanted to see them again but because he had never seen them at all. Having this deficit made their spiritual growth and progress paramount in his thinking. What exactly was the struggle? No doubt it was in prayer and concern. He desired that they be encouraged by his words, that they be knit together in love, and that they reach the full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery that is Christ. So much in Christ! He wanted them to have it all because in Christ was hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Christ had radically transformed Paul's life, and he wanted others to experience this same radical transformation. So even though he was not with them personally, he was with them in spirit, the spirit they commonly shared because of Jesus Christ. 

Then we come to the 'therefore, the conclusion of the thoughts previously stated. Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. [Amazing how Paul can say so much in one sentence!] Once Jesus is in the life, we must walk in Him! He is not in our lives to be hidden! We are His window to the world, the evidence of His transforming power. When we walk in Him, we need to be rooted and built up in Him. How? Soaking up His words. Knowing what He is all about, what His ethics and principles are, knowing how all His words apply to our lives, and then living them out! When we do this we are established in the faith. However, we can never rest on our laurels since the Word is living and active. Every time we read or study, it teaches us more and grows us more. A life lived out through Jesus is a life that is ever growing and changing making us life-long learners of Jesus Christ! Our hearts are full of thanksgiving because He fills our vision each moment and our hearts constantly. When we are focused on Him and not on the world, we don't become discontent or covetous. Because in Christ we are content and thankful because He has satisfied us completely. What a life to be lived in Jesus Christ!

Father,

Thank You for Jesus Christ and all He is to me. Thank You for His words that I may know Him and You better.

In Jesus name,

Amen