Thursday, January 8, 2026

            Some people suggest that the book of Colossians in our Bibles has two basic themes...Christ is enough and Jesus is Lord of all.  Those are two good truths to remember. Christ is always enough—no matter where you may be or what you may face.  Jesus is Lord of all—over everything and in control everywhere.  Paul seemed to amplify these two themes in Colossians 2:6-7 when he wrote, “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” Religion, it has been said, is man’s attempt to find and reach God.  But the gospel is God reaching out to lost and sinful mankind.  And the gospel consistently reminds us of what God has done in Christ to reach lost people.    
            Yes, Christ Jesus is Lord.  He is God in the flesh who came to us when we were lost and incapable of reaching Him.  To those who have received Christ, life has been forever changed—both on earth today and in eternity to come.  Paul commanded the Colossians, and us, to continue to live our lives IN Christ.  Salvation is not a one-off thing.  Salvation thoroughly changes us.  And the new life we have been given is now lived in Christ, for Christ and with Christ.  We no longer live for ourselves or to please others around us. Christ becomes our focus.  Christ is enough for us.  Christ is Lord over us.    
            Paul used some compelling words in Colossians 2:7 to help us understand what it means to know and walk with the Lord.  Think of a plant.  A plant has roots and is unable to survive apart from roots.  Likewise, we are rooted in Christ.  Our foundation is now in Him. We are no longer defined by a job, a career, a degree, where we live or what we have.  We are defined by our connection to Christ.  We are His—won and ransomed by Him.  Think of a house.  A house is built upward and outward.  In Christ, we are growing closer to Him (upward) and serving Him in the world around us (outward).  A Christian who is not growing upward and outward can quickly become stagnant.  We are not saved by Christ to sit down or stay put.  We are saved to become what we were intended to be—servants of God who declare His praises and glory to those around us.
            Paul used the expression “strengthened in faith.”  Think of developing muscles and physical endurance.  Just as we want to be as physically healthy as possible, we also want to remain spiritually healthy.  We build our spiritual strength and endurance through reading the Bible, prayer, worship, serving and sharing our faith in Jesus with others around us.  We make growing in our faith a priority—not just some random, incidental benefit that we hope happens by chance.  Christians are called to a lifetime of learning from and with each other. We call this discipleship.  We are becoming more like Christ each day.
            Paul used the expression “overflowing with thankfulness.”  We are to be thankful people for the blessings and provisions that God has given to us.  Blessings and gifts are undeserved but God is a giver.  He gives many common gifts and grace to humanity as a whole (food, shelter, a family, success on the job, water to drink).  He gives special and particular gifts to His people—those in Christ—so they may serve Him and the cause of the gospel around the world.  Our blessings are gifts that God has given to us so that we might serve Him well and widely.  And we want to steward those blessings well so we can grow in Christ and reach others for Christ.  Christ is always enough.  And Christ is Lord of all.  In these early days of 2026, remember these twin truths.  Let them be your light and compass as you navigate the year to come.  Have a great Thursday!