Colossians 2:6-7 As you have therefore received Christ, [even] Jesus the Lord, [so] walk (regulate your lives and conduct yourselves) in union with and conformity to Him.
7 Have the roots [of your being] firmly and deeply planted [in Him, fixed and founded in Him], being continually built up in Him, becoming increasingly more confirmed and established in the faith, just as you were taught, and abounding and overflowing in it with thanksgiving. Amplified Bible (AMP)
Yesterday we considered how we can overcome our anxieties, remove the furrows from our brows, by calling on God and then allowing Him to lead and guide you in faith. In today's verses the apostle Paul picks up on that theme. If you are a Christ follower, having received Him you are to regulate your lives according to Him. In doing so you will have deep and firm roots to your faith, you will be built up in His Word to strengthen your faith, and as this faith increases you will be established, have a firm footing and it will show in your life, and you will be thankful for it.
Does that sound like your life, I can ask myself, does that sound like my life? A lot will depend on the next step. James MacDonald writes, "If you are ever going to be the person God intended you to be, your focus must be on the next step. Just that step and nothing else. When you strain to see the future or fear you won't have the energy or strength for tomorrow, the enemy will have succeeded in intimidating you- and you'll have missed the opportunity to live for Christ in this moment."
Our Christian life is a walk and there will be ups and downs. We shouldn't focus too much on what is behind and we shouldn't focus too much on what is in the distant future. What we should be focusing on is that next step and that it be done in faith, to live for Christ in this moment.
Colossians 2:6-7
The Message (MSG)
From the Shadows to the Substance
6-7 My counsel for you is simple and straightforward: Just go ahead with what you've been given. You received Christ Jesus, the Master; now live him. You're deeply rooted in him. You're well constructed upon him. You know your way around the faith. Now do what you've been taught. School's out; quit studying the subject and start living it! And let your living spill over into thanksgiving.
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