Alive in Christ (Part 2)

Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.” (Colossians 2:6-7) Paul encourages the Churches in Colossae and Laodicea to continue to grow in their faith and not to succumb to philosophical discussions or other worldly teachings. In scripture philosophy’s meaning “carries a negative connotation and refers to quasi-religious doctrines and speculations (e.g., gnosticism) all of which are irreconcilable with the Christian faith.” (John Gill)

In contrast, the intellect of even the most brilliant human being cannot compare with Christ. “But we have the mind of Christ.” (I Corinthians 2:16b) Through the spirit, His disciples have access to the mind of Christ. Verse 10 reminds us that we have been made complete in Him, that is past tense, the completeness has happened already. Our task is to accept it by faith and to walk out that reality. The keys of the kingdom have been given (Matthew 16:19) to Peter,  and to the Church (Matthew 18:18).

“When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.” (Colossians 2:13-14) Again, past tense, (forgiveness and our heart’s circumcision) has been completed. However, the death certificate that satan holds (and reminds us of) is cancelled. We have a hope of victory and a future, instead of giving in to our failures. We have escaped the prison of our past and now hold the freedom to live as we ought to! (Romans 6)

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