“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him.”– Colossians 2:6 (KJV)
“And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him.”– Colossians 2:6 (NLT)
“My counsel for you is simple and straightforward: Just go ahead with what you’ve been given. You received Christ Jesus, the Master; now live him. You’re deeply rooted in him. You’re well-constructed upon him. You know your way around the faith. Now do what you’ve been taught. Schools out; quit studying the subject and start living it! And let your living spill over into thanksgiving.”– Colossians 2:6 (MSG)
What Does Colossians 2:6 Mean?
This verse tells us something important about how to live as followers of Jesus. It is not just about knowing who Jesus is, but also how we live our lives based on that knowledge. We are encouraged to walk in Him just as we have accepted Him. This means that accepting Jesus isn’t the end of our journey; it is the beginning. As we trust in Him and follow Him, we should live in a way that reflects that relationship.
When we receive Christ, we enter into a new life. We become part of God’s family, and with that comes the responsibility to live according to His ways and teachings. Walking in Him means allowing His teachings to guide our daily decisions and actions. We start to reflect His love, kindness, and grace in how we treat others. It’s like a tree that bears fruit; as we grow in Christ, our actions should naturally show the love and teachings we have received.
Colossians 2:6 Explanation and Commentary
In the book of Colossians, the apostle Paul is writing to the church in Colossae, reminding them of the importance of Christ in their lives. When he talks about receiving Christ, he is referring to the act of faith we make when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior. This is a personal decision we each make, and it changes everything about who we are. When we accept Christ, we are accepting His love, His forgiveness, and His guidance.
Walking in Christ is where the action really happens. It implies movement. We are not just to stand still with our faith, but to put it into action. It means we should let His teachings and example mold our character. Walking in Christ prompts us to make choices that reflect His values. It’s about being active participants in our faith, actively engaging with God and others.
As we reflect on this verse, we can look into passages like John 15:5, where Jesus says, “I am the vine; you are the branches.” This connection tells us that without staying rooted in Him, we cannot bear good fruit. We need to stay connected to Jesus in our daily lives, in every choice we make. It’s a reminder that it is not just about our salvation but about the lifestyle that comes from that relationship.
Our walk with Christ is not always easy. We may face challenges and obstacles. Yet in those times, we must remember to lean into Him, seeking His presence and guidance. With every step, we can carry the assurance that we don’t walk alone. Our faith is supported by the community of believers, the teachings in Scripture, and the guiding hand of the Holy Spirit.
Context of Colossians 2:6
The book of Colossians was written by Paul while he was in prison. His aim was to help the church understand who Christ truly is and encourage them to live lives that reflect His teachings. Paul is addressing false teachings that were spreading in the church, emphasizing that faith in Christ must be the core of their belief system.
Throughout the letter, we see Paul reiterating that salvation and life transformation come only through Jesus Christ. He addresses the importance of understanding that we do not need additional rituals or rules beyond what Jesus offers. Paul tells the believers to stand firm in their faith because there will be distractions that can lead them away from the truth.
In light of this, when Paul reminds the Colossians to walk in Christ, it is a call to live counter to the societal norms they often faced. The culture around them was filled with temptations and distractions away from the teachings of Jesus. This encourages us today as well, demonstrating that our walk in faith matters in the face of worldly challenges.
By understanding the context of Colossians, we recognize the urgency and sincerity behind Paul’s words. He wants us to live fully in Christ, teaching us that a genuine faith leads to a transformed life – one that positively impacts not just ourselves, but those around us as well.
Breaking Down the Key Parts of Colossians 2:6
Looking closer at this verse, there are several key parts that stand out. First, the phrase “as you have received Christ” emphasizes that our acceptance of Jesus is a personal decision. Each of us has our own story about how we came to know Jesus. This personal relationship is fundamental. It marks the starting point of our journey.
Next is the command to “walk in Him.” Walking is an active verb. It doesn’t mean to sit back and allow faith to just happen to us. We need to take steps forward, consistently choosing to align our lives with Christ’s teachings. This involves daily decisions, actions that reflect His love, and a commitment to grow deeper in our relationship with Him.
We can think of walking in faith much like training for a sport or preparing for an exam. It takes commitment, practice, and intentionality. We do not become perfected overnight but rather grow gradually through each step we take in faith. This is illustrated in Philippians 2:12, urging believers to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,” which reminds us of our active role in our relationship with Jesus.
The idea of being grounded in Him is also crucial. Just as a tree needs deep roots for stability, we too must establish our faith on a solid foundation in Christ. This requires engaging with Scripture, prayer, and surrounding ourselves with other believers who encourage us. Our foundation ensures that we can withstand life’s storms and challenges, remaining firm in our faith.
Lastly, the call to let our lives “spill over into thanksgiving” is a beautiful reminder of our response to God’s grace. Gratitude should be a natural result of our walk with Him. When we recognize how much we’ve been given—mercy, love, forgiveness—we can’t help but express thankfulness in every aspect of our life.
Lessons to Learn From Colossians 2:6
Through Colossians 2:6, we learn essential lessons that apply to our daily lives. One of the most important is the commitment to remain active in our faith. It is not enough to simply believe; we are called to live out our faith daily. This means making conscious choices to reflect Jesus in our interactions with others—showing kindness, being patient, and practicing forgiveness even when it’s tough.
This verse also teaches us the importance of community. As we walk together with other believers, we can support one another, share our burdens, and learn from each other. Our faith is amplified when we encourage each other in our walk with Christ. We are reminded of the importance of the church community in helping us stay accountable and rooted in our faith.
Another lesson we learn is that the journey of faith is ongoing. Just because we have accepted Christ does not mean we stop growing. Our experiences, the lessons we learn, and even our mistakes all contribute to our spiritual maturity. We must be open to learning and evolving as we navigate our walks with Christ.
We also see the importance of gratitude in our lives as believers. Living a life of thankfulness should be an aspect that flows from our relationship with Christ. When we remain focused on all He has done for us, it offers a perspective shift, even in difficult times. Instead of focusing on our problems, we begin to recognize God’s faithfulness and goodness, which naturally leads to a life filled with thanksgiving.
Lastly, this verse encourages us to be steadfast in our faith. Life can be full of ups and downs, but by walking in Christ, we can find peace and stability. No matter what challenges we face, we can rest in the assurance that we have a faithful guide that leads us through every situation.
Final Thoughts
Colossians 2:6 captures the essence of what it means to be a follower of Christ. It’s a call to action that reminds us that our faith cannot remain stagnant. As we accept Jesus, we enter a transformative journey that shapes who we are. Walking in Him becomes our way of life.
As we reflect on this verse, let us each examine our own walks. Are we truly allowing our faith to influence our daily actions? Are we actively seeking to learn more about Christ and embody His teachings? Are we dedicated to living in gratitude for all He has done? The answers to these questions shape our spiritual journey.
In our interaction with one another, let us be encouragements and reminders to stay rooted in faith. We are part of a community where we can learn from one another and help one another grow. If you are new to faith or have been walking with Christ for years, let us keep pushing forward together.
Want to learn more about how we can grow in our faith? Check out other topics we have, such as God’s Promises and Love in Action. Exploring these lessons can help deepen our understanding and walk with Christ.