Living In Christ

“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.” - Colossians 2:6-7

Have you ever wondered how God views success? Most of us would agree that we want to be successful in the way that matters most – from God’s point of view. We want to hear, “Well done good and faithful servant” when we finally meet Him face to face. But I think many of us are at a loss for how to be successful. With all of the ideas, points of view, and advice readily available to us, how do we decipher what is best…what will truly help us to be successful…especially in our relationships?

“Just as you have received Christ, so walk in Him.” Think about this simple statement. How have we received Christ? Is it by works? Is it by our actions? No, we receive Him by grace through faith. So Paul says, “The same way you received Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him that way.” Could success really be this simple? Notice I didn’t say easy, but simple.

The phrase “walking in Christ” is a reference to the Promised Land in the Old Testament. Everything the Israelites needed to live and flourish was contained in that land. God prepared it for them - they simply had to trust Him enough to obey what He told them to do. Then they would be able to mine its riches, and live off of its fruit. What Paul is saying to the New Testament believers is: “Walk in the real Promised Land, which is Christ” – make Him your life, your everything, and you will bear fruit. If you build anything, build it on the land and take the building materials from the land – build it on Christ, with Christ and for Christ.

Success is simply fruit falling off a tree. If we sink our roots deep in Christ, who is life, we will not be able to stop the fruit from coming forth.

Father, We, Your Church, are the Tabernacle. You have chosen to make my life Your home…the place where Your Spirit dwells, and speaks, and ministers, and moves. Thank You for Jesus. Thank You for the cross and the empty grave. Thank You for the Spirit who lives in me, so that I may live in Christ. 

 In Jesus’ Name, Amen.