Colossians 2:6-7 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

Here we have the key to successful Christian living. The first point is that our commitment to Him isn’t just for the moment of salvation, but is ongoing. Too many people essentially go through the motions and then forget about it, at least in practical terms. What happens when we maintain our commitment is expressed in two ways here, one from botany and one from construction. We are to be “rooted” in Christ, just as a plant puts down roots to draw nutrients from the soil. We aren’t self-sustaining; we have to be supplied from somewhere. The way to do this is expressed in the very first Psalm: “But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.” (Psalm 1:2-3) We need the Word of the Lord for spiritual nutrition, because without it we will have “spiritual osteoporosis,” not to mention spiritual weakness that could be compared to ALS. The other image here is of being built up, as in a strong tower. Jesus Himself used this imagery, (Matthew 7:24-27) as did Paul (1 Corinthians 3:10-15) and Peter (1 Peter 2:5). We should seek to become castles fit for our King! Paul closes this description with something that could well be the key to it all: gratitude. If we don’t value what Christ has done for us, that is, the Gospel, then we won’t be grateful and won’t follow through to receive and apply all that He has provided for us. All of this is embodied in Christ Jesus our Lord. That’s why Paul starts this by speaking of “receiving Christ Jesus as Lord.” If you haven’t taken Him into your heart and given Him first place, then you don’t have anything. Just last night the Lord was expressing through me that the Gospel is the Person of Jesus Christ, not simply a body of knowledge. If you have Him in your head but not in your heart, then you are simply an educated sinner, destined for hell for not having opened your heart to Him.

Of course this applies to me as much as it does to anyone. I continue to grow spiritually, but the more I do, the more I know I need to grow further! The Lord has given me pretty deep roots in His Word, and I am deeply grateful. I have the magnificent spiritual heritage of generations of ancestors who were committed to Christ and shared Him with others, but the Lord has told me explicitly that I can’t “ride on their coattails,” as the rather archaic expression has it. I have the privilege of sharing Christ with others. That involves giving them information, but it must not stop there. I need to model what it is to walk in fellowship with the Lord, so that others may know that it’s possible and desire it for themselves, for their salvation and His glory.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for that rather powerful time in the prayer meeting last night. I pray that everyone in this church would grow in their relationship to Your Son by Your Spirit, so that together we may present an irresistible image to Christ to this city and this nation, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!