Grace Notes – Walking Reflections
“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 not just a step, but the cornerstone of our journey with Him. Believing in Christ Jesus as the Son of God, who paid the penalty for our sins, is the solid ground we need to stand on to begin our walk with Him. Receiving Christ is crucial, as it sets the foundation for our spiritual journey. As Charles Spurgeon eloquently puts it, 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 accept Him as our Savior, Christ may seem like a shadow, a silhouette with no substance. But once we receive His gracious gift of salvation, our lives are filled with the substance of who He is. Christ Jesus is not just a concept, but Truth itself. He is our Redeemer, Refuge, and Strength, and there is no shifting or shadow in Him. He embodies love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (the fruit of the Spirit), and so much more. His presence transforms us from the inside out and enables us to reflect His character to others.
As we walk with Christ, our relationship with Him deepens, bringing us a sense of joy and peace even in the midst of trials and troubles. Walking close to Christ develops in us a heart of thanksgiving. Knowing that He will be by our side gives us what we need to reflect Him as long as we remain on this side of heaven.
A Touch of Grace:
Have you received the gracious gift of salvation?
If not, what’s keeping you from receiving His forgiveness and grace?
If you have received Christ Jesus as Lord of your life, how are you reflecting Him to others?
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 depend on the grace that will give us purpose, strength, and direction. We learn to lean less on what we think we know as we seek to know Him and study more of His character. This understanding gives us a clear sense of purpose and direction.
Walking involves action. One purpose of our walk with Christ is to reflect Him to those who have lost hope, 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 receivers of Christ Jesus, we are not just beneficiaries of His grace, but also its ambassadors, responsible for sharing this priceless gift with others. This mission should motivate us to act and reflect His character in all we do.
Walking with Christ is about enduring life’s hardships and growing in faith and knowledge of Him. Leaning into the difficulties life brings and studying Scripture to understand how to live through times of suffering draws us closer to Christ. Our faith grows as we increase our heart’s knowledge of Christ from time spent in the Bible, prayer, and fellowship with other believers. These are not just routines, but essential tools that deepen our understanding of Christ and our trust in His promise to never leave or forsake us.
Walking close to Christ gives us a direction in 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.” Walking with Christ becomes more evident if we take this Scripture to heart. We can confidently trust the Lord and reflect His goodness to others.
In His Grace,
Dawn
Prayer:
Gracious Father, I come to You in the precious name of Jesus Christ, thankful for the gift of salvation in Him. Thank you for doing the work of grace in my heart that called me to receive eternal life with You. Forgive me when I doubt Your goodness, love, and mercy. Help me walk closer to You to strengthen my heart to fulfill Your purposes and reflect the gospel of grace with those who have dwindling hope and need to know You. It is in You, Lord, that I find purpose, strength, and direction. May You be glorified, dear Lord, as I walk with You. Amen.
**Today, as you read this, I pray each of you will know you are in Christ Jesus. If you have any doubts, please call out to God so that all doubt may be erased. Today is a good day to be assured of salvation in Christ Jesus. If you have any questions, please get in touch with me at graceisdawning@gmail.com**
[i]https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/spurgeon_charles/sermons/0483.cfm?a=1109006