“Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in [union with] Him [reflecting His character in the things you do and say—living lives that lead others away from sin], having been deeply rooted [in Him] and now being continually built up in Him and [becoming increasingly more] established in your faith, just as you were taught, and overflowing in it with gratitude.”
Colossians 2:6-7 AMP
Grace Perspective:
Receiving Christ is the first step in our walk with Him. Accepting, or believing, that Christ Jesus is the Son of God Who paid the full penalty for our sin is the solid ground we need to be on to begin our journey with Him. Receiving Christ is vital, for without laying hold of this truth, we can’t begin a walk with Him. Charles Spurgeon states that we need to be able to say, “”Yes, yes, yes, I can say, once for all, I have received him; poor, weak, and worthless though I am, I do put my humble seal to the fact that God is true, and I trust in Him who is able to save unto the uttermost them that come unto God by Him.”[i]
Before we know Him as Savior, He may appear as a shadow, a silhouette with no substance. But once we receive His gracious gift of salvation, the empty spaces begin to fill with the substance of who He is. Christ Jesus is Truth. He is our Redeemer, Refuge, Strength, and there is no shifting or shadow in Him. He embodies love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (the fruit of the Spirit), and so much more.
As we continue to walk with Christ, our relationship with Him deepens, giving us the strength to persevere through trials and troubles. Walking close to Christ develops in us a heart of thanksgiving. Knowing that He will be by our side gives us the energy to continue this gracious walk as long as we remain this side of heaven.
A Touch of Grace:
How did you receive Christ?
What does your walk with Him look like?
What direction are you heading?
Grace Application:
Receiving Christ’s gift of salvation, knowing there is nothing we can do to earn it, is a leap from self-sufficiency to utter dependence upon Him. We are dependent upon the grace that will give us purpose, strength, and direction. We learn to lean less on what we think we know as seek to know Him and study more of His character.
Walking involves action. One purpose of our walk with Christ is to reflect Him to those who have lost hope, who are weary, worn, and weak from living with anxiety, doubt, and despair. This world is rapidly changing, leaving many with an overwhelming fear of what tomorrow may hold. As a receiver of Christ Jesus, we are to share this priceless gift with others.
Walking with Christ strengthens our endurance as we persevere when life grows hard. Leaning into the difficulties life brings, studying Scripture to know how to live through times of suffering draws us close to Christ. As we increase our heart knowledge of Christ, which comes from time spent in the Bible, prayer, and fellowship with other believers, our faith is reinforced. Yes, at times it feels like we’re all alone, that Jesus is not with us (sometimes when life becomes excruciatingly painful) but learning to place our faith not in our feelings but on Who Christ is, will deepen our trust that He will never leave or forsake us.
Walking close to Christ gives us a direction for our lives. Our time on earth is short compared to the length of eternity. When we receive the gift of salvation, the focus of our lives needs to shift from pleasing ourselves to pleasing God. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.” If we take this Scripture to heart, walking with Christ becomes much clearer. We are to confidently trust the Lord since He knows where we are going on this gracious walk.
Prayer:
Gracious Father, Thank you for the gift of salvation in Christ Jesus. Thank You for doing the work of grace in my heart that called me to receive eternal life with You. Forgive me for the times I doubt Your goodness, love, and mercy. Help me walk more closely to You so that my heart is strengthened to fulfill Your purposes and go in the direction You plan. May the gospel of grace be shared with those who have dwindling hope and need to know how to walk graciously with You. It is in You, Lord, that I find purpose, strength, and direction. May You be glorified, dear Lord, as I walk with You. In the precious name of Jesus Christ, our Savior, Amen.
**Today, as you read this, I pray each of you will know for sure you are in Christ Jesus. If you have any doubts, please call out to God, so all doubt may be erased. Today is a good day to be assured of salvation in Christ Jesus. If you have any questions, please contact me at graceisdawning@gmail.com**
[i] https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/spurgeon_charles/sermons/0483.cfm?a=1109006