Aleethia!

This post is part of a teaching series on the book of Colossians. All of the lessons in this series can be found here. In the first lesson we outlined the book. In each subsequent lesson we look at one small section of the outline and seek to answer five questions concerning the text.

In this passage we come to the last section of our outline under the heading of Paul’s Ministry. So far we’ve seen his work in suffering (1:24), preaching (1:25-29), and intercessory prayer (2:1-5). Now we are to see his ministry of encouragement.

This section is difficult to separate from the previous paragraph as the transition between the two is so smooth.

In verse 5, which we looked at last week, Paul’s words were the explanation of his labors in prayer, but were in nature, encouraging.

Verse 6 begins with the word “Therefore”, which points back to something previous. The reason I take this as a separate section is that it seems to refer to the previous discussion in its entirety. Everything that has gone before, including chapter one, could be seen as cause for the following statements.

What does Paul mean by “received Christ”? In Christian circles today, we say someone received Christ when they are saved. I think that is an over simplification of what Paul means here.

When looking at other passages (Gal 1:9, 12 and 1 Cor 15:1-3) where Paul used similar language, we can see that he is referring to a correct understanding of the Gospel. Jesus is the Gospel. In context, our passage is in the midst of Paul encouraging the Colossians to hold fast to the truth about Jesus, and not accept false teaching.

Spurgeon extended the definition of “received” even further.

…receiving means also … getting a grip of it, grasping it. The thing which I receive becomes my own. I may believe it to be real, but that is not receiving it. I may believe, also, that if I ever do get it, it must be given to me, and that I cannot earn it for myself, but still that is not receiving it. Receiving is the bona fide taking into my hand and appropriating to myself as my own property that which is given to me. ¹

What he’s saying is that Christ becomes very real and very personal to you. He is not some abstract idea that you “believe” in, but doesn’t change your life. If you “receive” Christ, your life is changed. Demons believe that God is God, and tremble, Scripture tells us (James 2:19), but they haven’t received because they continue to rebel against that God in which they believe.

Paul said: “as you received”. I take this to mean “like” or “in the same way” which implies, “without modification”. In other words, they are not to accept the false teachers’ incorrect doctrines about Christ, but rather the correct teaching given to them by Epaphras when they first heard and believed.

Now, what has been received? Christ! And not just Christ, but “Christ Jesus the Lord.” Why is that wording important? Remember the false teaching taking place in Colossae.

“Christ” literally means, “the Messiah” or “anointed one”.

“Jesus” was his earthly name. It’s a fairly common Hebrew name. It’s meaning is significant (Yhwh is salvation), but it expresses Christ’s humanity.

“the Lord” means “supreme in authority” or “sovereign master”.

Paul was saying to them that they had been given an understanding, or teaching, of the anointed one, the Messiah, who was fully man, their savior, and the sovereign, supreme, ultimate authority in the universe.

And the conclusion Paul comes to is that their lives should be changed.

Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, ~ Colossians 2:6

You have to get a grip, as Spurgeon would say, on that received part before you can move on to the walking part, but what does it mean to walk in Christ?

If you’ve ever read Pilgrim’s Progress, you’ll get the analogy that the Christian life is depicted as a journey. We are traveling through life. Walking is used regularly in the Bible to convey this idea.

Micah 4:2 speaks of God teaching the nations “his ways” and them “walk[ing] in his paths.” This is talking about learning how God wants us to do life, and then doing it that way. Psalm 119 is full of verses that talk about God’s laws and some refer to them as paths of righteousness, or his way, etc. God’s commands, given to us in Scripture, show us how he would have us live.

Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:7 that we “walk by faith”. We’re not talking about paths through the park that we can see with our eyes and follow with our feet. We’re not even talking about a list of commands we can keep. Without faith, anything we do is sin (Romans 14:23), even if it’s good by earthly standards. It is only by faith that we can live our lives in such a way as to please God (Hebrews 11:6).

The apostle John tells us (1 John 1:7) to “walk in the light” because Jesus is in the light, in fact, He IS the light. This is a way of life, not just a list of thing to do or not do, but an entire life philosophy. You can’t walk in Christ and still follow the ways of the world. It’s one or the other. In the verse prior, John said that if we claim to follow Jesus, but live our lives in the darkness of the world, that we are liars and don’t practice the truth.

How are we to know how to walk then? John gives us the answer in the next chapter (1 John 2:6) when he tells that we should follow Jesus’ example. He not only died the death we should have lived, he also lived the life we should have lived. He is our example for how to do life on planet earth. We should study Jesus’ life in the Gospels and become intimately familiar with his actions, motives, thoughts, prayers, etc, and adopt them as our own.

In Galatians 5:16-25 Paul tells us to “walk by the Spirit.” Only with the enabling power of the Holy Spirit dwelling within us can we hope to understand Scripture and apply it to our lives in such a way as to effect change. All the Bible knowledge in the world won’t do you any good without the work of the Spirit in your life. Pray for help of the Spirit daily!

Finally, to reiterate a point. Jesus himself tells us about the way.

I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6)

There is no other way to God except Jesus. He is the way. We are to walk IN him, not with him, or toward him, but IN him.

It is true that He gave us life from the dead? He gave us pardon of sin; He gave us imputed righteousness. These are all precious things, but you see we are not content with them; we have received Christ himself. The Son of God has been poured out into us, and we have received him, and appropriated him. Mark, I say, not merely the blessings of the covenant, but himself; not merely the purchase of his blood, but he himself from whose veins the blood hath flowed has become ours; and every soul that hath eternal life is this day a possessor of Christ Jesus the Lord. ²

As John Piper says so often. Our lives should reflect the truth that Christ is our treasure.

Verse 7 continues with Paul telling us how to go about walking in Christ.

First, we are to be “rooted” in Christ. In the Greek, this word is in perfect tense indicating that it was a one time action in the past. This is our justification. Our in-grafting onto the Vine (John 15:1-12, Romans 11:17-24). The word carries with it the idea of firmness, being fixed, not moving. A root attaches a plant to the ground so that it isn’t blown about by the wind or carried away by water. A root feeds the plant by providing nourishment allowing it to grow. A root is the source, or origin of something else.

Our root is Jesus. From him we receive our spiritual nourishment. In him our salvation is deeply and firmly fixed and stable. He is the author (source) of our justification, and provides us with nourishment to grow in sanctification.

After being rooted, we are to be “built up” in Christ. Here the Greek moves from perfect tense to present tense indicating ongoing action. This is our sanctification. Many times throughout the New Testament, the metaphor of building is used for the Christian life and work. (Ephesians 2:19-22, 1 Peter 2:4-8, 1 Corinthians 3:10-15)

When something is built, it is put together of various materials over time. It increases in size or value. Thinking about this should encourage us in our Christian lives. Our sanctification is a process that takes time. If we are not the mature, holy Christian we would like to be, we can strive to grow and be built toward that goal without feeling guilt for not having reached it yet. All the various building materials have to be brought into our lives over time and put together by Jesus to construct us into the saints he would have us be. Thank God He is a master carpenter!

Besides being rooted and built up in Christ, we are to be “established in the faith.”

Again, this is in present tense, meaning it is an ongoing thing. To be established means to be recognized, accepted, and well-known. This is a legal term that is often translated “confirmed” in Scripture. Taken in that sense it would imply that people can look at our lives and confirm by the way we live, that we are followers of Christ.

Paul says this confirmation is “in the faith.” That is, our doctrine, the beliefs that we teach, are confirmed in us. What’s more, they are to be established “just as” meaning exactly, or in the same way, without variation, the doctrines were taught. There is no new teaching outside of Scripture. The doctrines (pattern of beliefs) of Christianity are those taught in Scripture.

Paul concludes by asserting that one trademark of our lives lived in Christ will be an overflowing surplus of lavish thanksgiving that cannot be contained. In Romans 1 Paul tells us that those who are under God’s judgment are those who do not give thanks to him (Romans 1:18, 21). These people are unrighteous and ungodly, and will experience God’s wrath.

Paul says in 2 Corinthians 4:15 that this kind of thanksgiving as a result of grace in our lives brings glory to God.

Thanksgiving is an expression of gratitude offered to God as worship. Paul specifically mentions song in Ephesians 5:19-20 as a means of expressing this worship and thankfulness, for everything. All in the name of Jesus Christ.

Think about our holiday by the name of Thanksgiving. It’s a feast. A celebration. Thanks and gratitude offered to God JOYOUSLY! That world “abounding” means lavish excess. We’re talking about a party here. Our thanksgiving to God should be a celebration, not a solemn event. Our worship should be characterized by pleasure.

John Piper has built his entire ministry on this idea. The mission statement of his ministry is

Everything we do aims to spread a passion for the supremacy of God in all things for the joy of all peoples through Jesus Christ.

Jonathan Edwards said this about God’s glory.

God is glorified not only by His glory’s being seen, but by its being rejoiced in. When those that see it delight in it, God is more glorified than if they only see it…. He that testifies his idea of God’s glory [does not] glorify God so much as he testifies also his approbation of it and his delight in it. ³

A look at thanksgiving in Psalms shows these kinds of words being used in conjunction with thanks.

• Sing praises (18:49)

• All my heart (111:1)

• Proclaim your wonders (26:7)

• Pour out my soul (42:4)
• 
Joy (42:4)
• 
Boast (in God) (44:8)

• Magnify Him (Ps 69:30)

• Glorify Him (86:12)
• 
Shout Joyfully (Ps 95:2)
• 
Bless his name (100:4)

• Sacrifice (116:17)

• Learn scripture (119:7)

Paul lived this way and encouraged the Colossians to as well. We also should live our lives celebrating and magnifying God. When he is our delight, he will be glorified and delighted by us.

1. Spurgeon - Life and Walk of Faith - Delivered on Sunday Morning, Dec 7th, 1862
2. Spurgeon - Life and Walk of Faith - Delivered on Sunday Morning, Dec 7th, 1862
3. Jonathan Edwards, The Miscellanies [Entry Nos. a-z, aa-zz, 1-500], The Works of Jonathan Edwards, Volume 13. Edited by Thomas A. Schafer [New Haven: Yale University Press, 1994], no. 448, p. 495