Seeds for 2/13/2023 - Colossians 2:6-7, part 1

Scripture: “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”

Observation: As I read them, these 2 verses are the pivot point for Paul’s letter to the Colossians. Paul routinely intermingles his theology and practice, belief and behavior, doctrine and life application. The reason is clear—what we believe impacts how we behave, and how we behave indicates what we believe. Because maturing in Christ is a process, there are gaps between our doctrine and our living, gaps that Paul is working to close with his teaching and exhortation via his letters.

All of that said, in a number of Paul’s letters we do find a particular juncture that makes the turn from theological foundations to practical life application. And it’s often indicated by words like “therefore” or “so then.” That’s what we’ve got here in Colossians 2:6-7. Paul has spent around the first quarter of this letter expressing his love and sharing his prayer for the Colossian Christians, and grounding them once again in the person and work of Christ. Our living must be come into line with the truth about who He is and what He has done. Jesus is the Son of God who came to die our death and give us His life, reconciling us to God. If our living is not grounded in that simple summary statement, then whatever else it may be, it is not Christian living.

The little words “so then,” remind us that who Christ is (“image of the invisible God”) and what Christ has done (reconciled us to God) are the foundation upon which we are to build all of our life—our character, our morality, our calling, our purpose, our relationships, everything.

Application: Our behavior reflects our belief system. Where are your gaps between what you believe about Jesus and how you live in Him? How does knowing who Christ is and what He has done for you point you in the right direction as you work to close those gaps?

Prayer: Lord, keep me grounded in the magnificent truth of your Son Jesus. Help me build my whole life on Him as my foundation. Amen.

---

“But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” (Matthew 13:23)

If you liked this post from Seeds of Faith, why not share it and/or subscribe?

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™