Walking in Christ: As We Began, So We Continue
That tree is rooted, indeed.
"As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving." (Colossians 2:6-7)
The journey of the Christian life does not differ in nature from its beginning. Just as we received Christ by grace, so we are called to walk in Him by grace. Today’s devotional from Day by Day by Grace reminds us that the manner in which we started with Christ is the same way we are to continue—rooted in Him, relying upon Him, and abounding with gratitude.
Our Beginning in Christ
When we first came to Jesus, He was our sole hope. Recognizing our spiritual bankruptcy, we confessed that we had nothing to offer. We embraced Him as the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). His work on the cross was our only source of forgiveness, life, and righteousness.
At that moment, we lived in full dependence on Him:
Acknowledging our spiritual deadness (Ephesians 2:1).
Agreeing that our own righteousness was like filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6).
Resting entirely in His sufficiency.
This humble reliance marked the beginning of our walk with God.
Continuing in Him
The same dependency that characterized our new birth is essential for our growth, fruitfulness, and victory in Christ. Colossians 2:6-7 exhorts us to walk in Him as we received Him, emphasizing three key aspects of this walk:
Rooted in Him: Just as the roots of a tree draw nourishment from the soil, we are to draw strength, wisdom, and sustenance from Jesus. This rootedness reflects a life of constant faith and dependence.
Built Up in Him: Our spiritual growth comes from Christ as He shapes and develops His life in us. It is His work, not our self-effort, that transforms us day by day (2 Corinthians 3:18).
Established in the Faith: Stability in the Christian life comes through the study of His word and the deepening of our trust in Him. The more we understand who He is, the more unwavering our walk becomes.
This progression naturally leads to a heart overflowing with thanksgiving. When we grasp how fully Christ is our life, we cannot help but respond with gratitude.
Overflowing with Thanksgiving
Colossians 3:11 declares that "Christ is all and in all." This is the heart of the Christian life: Jesus is not merely part of our journey—He is the journey. When we abide in Him as our life, He enables us to live with joy, peace, and purpose.
Thanksgiving is the inevitable fruit of recognizing His sufficiency. Gratitude shifts our perspective from striving to resting, from anxiety to trust. It reminds us that, just as we could not save ourselves, we cannot sustain ourselves.
Reflection and Prayer
Are you walking in Christ today with the same dependency that you had when you first received Him?
In what areas of life are you tempted to rely on your own strength rather than on His sufficiency?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for being as sufficient for my life today as You were when I first received You. I confess my tendency to rely on my own efforts instead of walking in You by grace. Root me deeply in Your life, build me up by Your power, and establish me in faith through Your Word. May my heart overflow with thanksgiving as I rest in Your sufficiency and trust You moment by moment to live Your life in my and through mre. Amen.
A Final Thought
The Christian life is not about moving beyond our need for Jesus—it is about growing deeper in that need. As we remain rooted, built up, and established in Him, we experience the fullness of life He has promised. Let us walk in Him today, just as we received Him at the beginning, and abound with thanksgiving for His unfailing sufficiency.