A Church Firmly Grounded in Faith in Christ (3)
[Colossians 2:1-7]
Third and last, a church standing firm in faith in Christ lives a life overflowing with gratitude while walking in Jesus Christ, who is our Lord.
Look at Colossians 2:6-7: "Therefore, as you 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." Living a Christ-centered life means submitting to the rule of God the Father, the loving Father (1 Jn. 4:8, 16), and obeying the authoritative words of Jesus Christ, the truth (Jn. 14:6), following His dual commandment of love for God and love for neighbors (Mt. 22:37, 39). It involves walking in fellowship with God the Father and the Holy Son, Jesus Christ, guided by the Holy Spirit (1 Jn. 1:3). What, then, is a Christ-centered home? A Christ-centered home acknowledges the sovereignty of God the Father, trusting that God controls and governs our home. Furthermore, a Christ-centered home is under the authority of the Holy Son, Jesus Christ, and obeys His dual commandment, loving God and loving neighbors. Therefore, a Christ-centered home experiences the presence of God by bearing the fruit of the Spirit, which is love. Such a Christ-centered home contributes to the realization of a heavenly home. What about a Christ-centered church? A Christ-centered church avoids disputes and arrogance but, with humility, regards others as more significant and looks after the interests of others, not just their own (Phil. 2:3-4). Additionally, a Christ-centered church encourages one another in Christ, provides comfort through Christ's love, engages in fellowship through the Holy Spirit, and shows kindness and compassion to one another. A Christ-centered church has saints united in one heart and one mind, sharing the same love, becoming one to fulfill the joy of the Lord (vv. 1-2).
In today's passage, Colossians 2:6-7, the Apostle Paul wrote a letter to the saints in Colossae, Laodicea, and to those saints who had not seen his face, advising them at least in four aspects:
- Paul urged them to "walk in Christ Jesus the Lord, having received Him as Lord."
Colossians 2:6 says, "Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him." In Modern Korean Bible, it is expressed as, "So, you have accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, so continue to live in Him." In other words, Paul advised the saints in Colossae, Laodicea, and those who had not seen his face to live in Christ. Living in Christ means believing that the Lord controls and governs our lives, experiencing God's presence, and being obedient to the authority of Jesus Christ, thus living in accordance with the doctrines and precepts of the gospel. Scholar Lightfoot interpreted this advice as follows: ‘Live so that your beliefs and conduct completely correspond to the doctrines and precepts of the Gospel that have been taught to you’ (Lightfoot). Biblically speaking, Philippians 1:27 is relevant, which says, "Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ ...." In Modern Korean Bible, it is expressed as, "Live in a way that befits those who believe in the good news of Christ." In essence, the phrase "walk in Christ" implies living in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.
- Paul exhorted the saints in Colossae, Laodicea, and those who had not seen his face to 'root yourselves in the Lord and be established.'
Colossians 2:7a says: "rooted and built up in him." In modern language, it can be expressed as, 'Deeply root yourselves in the Lord and construct your lives on Him.' In Matthew 13, Jesus gives the "parable of the sower" (v. 18). Explaining the part where the seed is sown "on rocky ground," Jesus says: "The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away" (vv. 20-21). The lesson we learn from this passage is that even if we experience joy in receiving God's word, without having a deep root within us, we won't endure for long, and when trouble or persecution arises, we may stumble. Therefore, we must diligently sow the seeds of God's word and prayer, the seeds of love, and the seeds of the gospel of Jesus Christ into our hearts. We need to deeply root ourselves in the Lord, building our lives on Him (Col. 2:7), so that shoots may sprout, trees may grow, and we may bear precious and beautiful fruit in the eyes of God. Each of us should earnestly sow the seeds of God's word, the gospel, prayer, love, and the seed of Jesus Christ into our hearts, so that the roots of God's word, the gospel, prayer, love, and Jesus Christ may be deeply embedded in our hearts. Consequently, the shoots of God's word, the gospel, prayer, love, and Jesus Christ will sprout within us, and we will all grow into sturdy and robust trees of God's word, the gospel, prayer, love, and Jesus Christ. Then, in God's appointed time and through His divine methods, God will personally bring forth fruit in our lives (1 Cor. 3:6).
We all must become wise spiritual builders, and God's building must be laid on our foundation, which is none other than Jesus Christ. Therefore, we must listen to and continually hear the gospel of Jesus Christ. If we do not listen to the gospel of Jesus Christ, it is like building the house of God on the ground without a foundation. When the flood comes, it will soon collapse and be greatly destroyed (Lk. 6:49; 1 Cor. 3:9-11).
- Paul exhorted the saints in Colossae, Laodicea, and those who had not seen his face to 'stand firm in faith according to the teaching they had received.'
Colossians 2:7b says: "...stand firm in the faith as you were taught ...." In modern language, it can be expressed as, 'Stand firm in faith according to the instruction you have received.' Proverbs 12:3 emphasizes that "the root of the righteous cannot be moved." Even when the righteous face adversity, their root, which is deeply embedded in righteousness, remains unshaken. The key to having an unmovable root lies in the righteous person's love for discipline. In other words, the righteous person can stand firm because they have rooted themselves deeply in knowledge. The reason the righteous person loves discipline is that they love knowledge (v. 1). Thus, they willingly accept God's discipline because they desire to walk in the path of righteousness.
In today's passage, Colossians 2:7, the Apostle Paul is urging the saints in Colossae, Laodicea, and those who have not seen his face to "stand firm in faith as they have been taught." Do we stand firm in faith? (1 Cor. 16:13) So, are we standing unwaveringly in the faith in Jesus, regardless of the difficulties and challenges we face? Isaiah 7:9 states, "If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all." If we do not firmly believe in Jesus, we cannot stand firm. Therefore, we must believe strongly in Jesus. We must stand firm in faith (1 Cor. 16:13). To do so, we need to stand firmly on the Lord's word. I pray that the Lord will establish our steps in His word (Ps. 119:133).
- Paul exhorted the saints in Colossae, Laodicea, and those who had not seen his face to 'overflow with thanksgiving.'
Colossians 2:7b says: "...overflowing with thanksgiving." In modern language, it can be expressed as, 'Live a life overflowing with gratitude.' Apostle Paul also encouraged the Thessalonian church to "give thanks in all circumstances" (1 Thess. 5:18). Here, "give thanks in all circumstances" means to express gratitude in every situation or environment. How is this possible? It becomes possible when we remember God's grace of salvation given to us in the past within Jesus Christ. God the Father saved us through the death and resurrection of His only Son, Jesus Christ. Through the crucifixion of Jesus and His resurrection, God forgave all our sins and declared us righteous (Rom. 4:25). God the Father granted us eternal life, so we should be thankful in all circumstances. Therefore, let us express gratitude whenever we pray to God. Let us be thankful every time we praise God. Be thankful when speaking to people. Let all of us give thanks to God the Father. When praying for the church, let us be thankful to the Lord for the promise in Matthew 16:18 that He will build His church. When praying for families, let us be thankful to the Lord for working all things together for good, as mentioned in Romans 8:28. When praying for individuals, let us thank the Lord that, despite our unfaithfulness, He remains faithful to fulfill the promises He has given each one of us, as stated in 2 Timothy 2:13. Even in situations where gratitude seems difficult, we should offer thanksgiving prayers to God in faith. How is this possible? It is possible when God's word richly dwells in us (Col. 3:16). Therefore, we must know God through His word. The God we believe in is the One who loves us the most, knows us the best, and gives us the very best. Let us offer prayers of thanksgiving to God while looking upon this God in faith.