As You Received, So Walk

“As you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith,.. abounding in thanksgiving.

“See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily,  and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. In him also you were circumcised… by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,  by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.  He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.” Colossians 2:6-15

Paul emphasizes to the Colossian church that receiving Christ is just the beginning. It is an act of grace by God that elicits faith, gratitude, and trust. It involves a circumcision of the heart and burial of the old life, being born again and indwelt with the Spirit. This miraculous act initiates and demands transformed living that is put into motion every day by walking, established in faith, being built and growing to maturity. The old life and the enemy’s power have been disarmed, and new life is expected. Having been raised with Christ, both perspective and practice are to reflect His triumphant dominion. (Colossians 2:19; 3:1-3,5-10,12-17; 4:5-6)

The same faith, trust, and gratitude that are indicative in salvation are to be the fuel for regular Christian living. Time on earth is a journey that abounds in adventure and adversity, joy and jostling, steady climbs and harrowing descents. Being rooted in Christ and steady in faith do much to guard our steps and guide our decisions along the way.

Renewed in the mind of Christ, we are able to discern errant philosophies. Strengthened in His conquering Spirit, we are able to put off displeasing and harmful practices and put on righteous ones. Having been forgiven and made alive, we are free from shame and fear to bear fruit in newness of life. Are we seeing to these things? (Romans 12:2; 1 Corinthians 2:16)

As we have received Christ, are we progressing in Him? Would we define our walk as hesitant, faltering, wayward, or steady? Would others agree? Which prohibition commands from Colossians 3 regarding moving on in Christ-likeness are particularly hard to put away? Immorality, impurity, idolatry, obscenity, anger? What default reactions and habits need forgiveness and replacement? How will I begin to realign my attitudes and behavior to grateful obedience by putting on holiness, humility, righteousness, and love?

“May the mind of Christ, my Savior,
live in me from day to day,
by His love and pow’r controlling
all I do and say.

May I run the race before me,
strong and brave to face the foe,
looking only unto Jesus
as I onward go.” ~Kate Barclay Wilkinson (1925)

Lord, help we walk in steady, long obedience that honors Your character and Name.