Ep 693 – Colossians 2:6-23

To be "in Christ" is a wonderful thing. It speaks of a relationship that is based on the finished work of Christ on the cross and that assures us of a restored relationship with a holy God. Being in Christ is what makes eternal life possible. But it is possible to be in Christ, and still fail to reflect Christ in our behavior. That's why Paul challenged the believers in Colosse to "walk in him." They were to follow the example of Christ, living their lives in the power of the Holy Spirit and according to the Word of God. And in Colossians 2:6-23, Paul goes out of his way to remind believers that we must never forget from where we've come, living lives that were marked by slavery to sin and carrying the weight of our guilt and shame. We were once dead, but Christ made us alive. He canceled the record of our debt and removed the death penalty under which we had lived. The key to our continued spiritual transformation isn't more hard work, but an increased dependency upon Jesus. We must sink the roots of our lives deep into the reality of His love, grace and mercy.