Journey Through The Bible
   Old Testament Reading: Daniel 10-12
   New Testament Reading: Colossians 2

So then, just as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to walk in him, being rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, and overflowing with gratitude (Colossians 2:6-7).

Paul told the Colossian Believers that the purpose of all his labor, all his striving, was to present everyone mature in Christ (Col 1:28-29). Now he paints a variety of pictures using mixed metaphors to describe what maturing in faith is all about.

Paul compares the Christian life to a journey, and we are to walk. So then, just as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to walk in him (v6). Earlier, Paul told them to walk worthy of the Lord (Col 1:10). We are to walk in Christ the same way we originally received Christ, by faith. You start with faith, and you must continue with faith. This is the only way to make spiritual progress.

Next, Paul uses imagery from agriculture. We are being rooted (v7a). Christians are not to be tumbleweeds that have no roots and blown about by every wind of doctrine. Nor are they to be transplants that are repeatedly moved from soil to soil. Once we are rooted by faith in Christ, there is no need to change the soil! The roots draw nourishment so that the tree can grow, and the roots give strength and stability so that the Christians can stand firm in their faith.

Paul then turns to architecture. The Believer is to be built up (v7b). When we trust Christ to save us, we are built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets. From then on, we grow in the Lord being built together with other Christians. (Eph 2:19-22)

Paul then draws from a school or educational institution, established in the faith, just as you were taught (v7c). Epaphras had faithfully taught the Colossian Believers the truth of God’s Word (v1:7). Today, Christians who read and study their Bibles become established in the faith. Satan has a difficult time deceiving the Bible-taught Believer.

Paul’s final descriptive picture is that of a river overflowing its banks. Mature Christians are to be overflowing with gratitude (v7d). Our first experience in the Lord is that of drinking the water of life by faith, and He puts within us a well of living water (John 4:10-14). As we mature in Christ, that well should become streams of living water flow from deep within him (John 7:38). Sad to say, many Christians today are but a shallow trickle instead of a mighty river.