What it Means to Walk in Christ | Resources
Sermon Text: Colossians 2:6–7
“So then, just as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to walk in him, being rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, and overflowing with gratitude.” (CSB)
Devotional
On a trip three years ago, our family visited the redwoods of northern California. These giants of the forest soar up to 300-400 feet high, and it’s believed many of the old-growth Redwoods are over 2000 years old. It was a magical sight for our family to climb over fallen redwoods, hug their bases, and gaze up at the top of these trees, which rival the height of some of the tallest buildings in our state.
While we focused on the seen, these trees have an underground root system that can spread horizontally upwards of 80 feet due to the plentiful surface moisture. As their root systems grow vertically and horizontally, the roots intertwine with other trees to provide the redwood with access to life-giving moisture within a community of growth.
In Colossians 2:6-7, Paul exhorts believers to walk (live) in Christ, just as they received him. How did they receive him? By faith in the foundation of the gospel through grace.
Paul then illustrates what that sort of life looks like. One image he uses is a tree anchoring itself to the ground through its roots. The point of his illustration is to highlight that continued reliance upon a strong foundation enables future growth. A strong foundation enables the tree and us to continually grow and withstand the storms of life. It also guards against the heresy of false teaching not centered on the gospel, such as presented to Colossae believers.
So, just as we received Christ through grace and belief in the gospel, a gospel-centered and grace-reliant life is needed to live a life pleasing to the Lord today. So remember that growth on the outside is driven by extending your roots into the soil of the life-giving gospel each day. Entangle your roots with the community of believers around you. Abide in Christ, and He will guide you in truth to give you strength through the Spirit for today.
Discussion Questions
1. Summarize what it means to walk in Christ.
2. How has your “walking” been going lately?
3. Who discipled you? Who is discipling you?
4. What does this text teach us about the gospel?
5. In light of this text, what does it look like to obey the prompting of the Spirit this week?
Memory Verse
“So then, just as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to walk in him, being rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, and overflowing with gratitude.” Colossians 2:6–7