Receive and Walk in Christ Colossians 2:6

Paul the apostle was concerned for the Colossian church members being “beguiled” or “deceived” by false-teaching and heresies which denied the deity of Jesus Christ and were infiltrating their church. He presented the truth concerning Jesus Christ before them so there would be no one who would be able to convince them otherwise about the gospel. In chapter two and verse six, Paul instructs the Colossians to “walk” with Jesus in the same manner as they “received” Him. We read:

As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him:

The verse begins, “As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord,...” Paul begins by taking the church members back to the beginning of their relationship with Jesus “As you have therefore received” which means “in the same manner” “take to, take with one's self, join to one's self, accept or acknowledge one to be such as he professes to be, not to reject, and not to withhold obedience” “Christ Jesus” whom Paul makes plain that Jesus whose name means “Jehovah is Salvation” is “the anointed one” in whom they received. Paul also calls Jesus “the Lord” which means “he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master, lord”. Not only was Jesus to be the Colossians' Savior, but He was also to be their “Lord”.

The verse goes on to say, “... so walk in him:” Paul invokes further instruction to the church members as he encourages them to “so walk” or “to make one's way, progress; to make due use of opportunities, to live, to regulate one's life, to conduct one's self or to pass one's life” “in him” which means “in the same manner as Him”. Not only did Paul reference the beginning of the Colossians relationship with Jesus Christ, but he also encourage them to have Jesus be their lifesyle.

When we meditate upon these words, we find a continuance in our relationship with Jesus. So many people make a decision to receive Jesus as their Savior, and yet leave His life and message as soon as they receive Him. Paul knew the importance of a continual walk with “the Lord”, and those who follow Him must continue to follow Him all the days of their lives. Perhaps as we think about this we would benefit by taking inventory of our daily walk. Do we “walk” with “the Lord” as we “received” him? Does Jesus' way, actions, attitude and words pervade our lives or have we gone our own way? As Paul encouraged and instructed the Colossians, let us allow him to encourage and instruct us as well, and may we all not only receive Jesus Christ, but also know Him as Lord.

Next time Paul writes about being rooted, built up and established in the faith, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

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