Alive in Christ
“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him: Rooted and built up in Him, and established in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.” Colossians 2:6-7 KJV
It has been several months since I actually stopped to express in writing what is on my heart. As I type, I am reminded of the very reason Jadah, and I decided to begin blogging. My Leaves are Green's purpose is to encourage you physically and spiritually to move from faith to faith. We are do not claim to be experts, just human beings filled with many flaws, BUT saved by Grace. Jadah and I are on this journey ordered by Him, just like so many others who have made a choice to follow Him. He is the Author and Finisher of our faith. Only He knows what is on our personal path. If we allow Him, He will move us from faith to even greater faith, making us more and more like Him. This year began with so much excitement, so many plans and expectations for our ministry and for our family. We had already started a remodeling project at our church; we had begun planning my husband’s 50th Birthday and 25 years of Ministry Celebration, and my Jadah would become engaged and married this year. Little did we know that as Jadah was posting “Being Still” on January 28th and as I was posting “Redeeming the Time” on January 31st, Jadah was entering a storm of her life that came out of nowhere; and I would be chosen to journey with her. It all began the second week in January when she went to the doctor and had a very simple procedure done. I cannot tell the story; it is hers to tell, but I hope I have drawn you in to hear the rest of the story which God is still writing; this healing is a process with so many miracles along the way. Trials and storms of life hit us hard and test our faith, but there is a key to surviving and keeping your leaves green through any and every trial of life.
The Bible declares that “…if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (II Cor. 5:17 KJV). If it is true that if one be in Christ, he is a new creature, it is also true that if one is not in, out, absent or away from Christ, the old things which are our old Adamic nature are presently and actively at work. The word “in” (en – Strong G1722) denotes a fixed position. If one is to remain or stay “Alive in Christ,” he or she must stay closely connected to Him. The Word of God gives clear instruction as to how one may stay spiritually fixed in this position. In Colossians 2:6-7 KJV, Paul states “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him: Rooted and built up in Him, and established in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.” Thus we are to walk in Him - daily living, be rooted in Him – fixing oneself in position, be built up in Him – grow up, and established in Him – confident.
The Born Again believer is commanded to walk in truth, walk in wisdom, walk in the light, walk in my statues, walk in my ways, walk in my precepts, walk in my Spirit, etc. Each walk points us to the pathway of God’s Word, the very essence of God. Paul sums it up –“walk ye in Him.” We are to let the Word of Christ dwell in us richly in all wisdom (Colossians 3:16). The word “walk” (peripateo - Strong G4043) denotes making progress and due use of every opportunity; to regulate and conduct oneself. The Word of God is our connect point in remaining fully fixed in Christ. “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his ways? By taking heed thereto according to his word”(Psalm 119:9 KJV). One not only becomes clean through the Word but remains clean by the Word. The Word of God must become the necessary part of daily living. David declares that God’s Word is “a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105 KJV). When God’s Word is completely hidden in the heart, one is able to walk in Christ through this lighted pathway.
The Born Again believer is commanded to be rooted and built up in Christ. The word “rooted” (rhizoo – Strong G4492) denotes to render firm, to fix, establish, cause a person or thing to be thoroughly grounded. The words “built up” comes from one word in the Greek (epoikodomeo – Strong G2026); it means to build upon – to finish the structure of which the foundation has already been laid, to give a constant increase in Christian knowledge and in a life conformed thereto. Paul admonishes the Philippians “ to work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:12b-13 KJV). The Lord Jesus has so beautifully paved the road of our Salvation; His Redemption Plan is without error; thus the believer has his part. The duty of rooting and building up is the job of the believer – “work out your own salvation.” One must make every effort to fix, establish, and ground oneself firmly in and on Christ, the Solid Rock; His foundation is sure. There should always be an unending search and a constant increase of His knowledge. This is the cry of the heart of a true believer; thus this cry will cause God to do His part – “it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do His good pleasure.”
Paul commands the believer to be “established in the faith.” The word “established” (bebaioo - Strong G950) means to make firm, establish, confirm, and make sure. Again the word “in” suggests a fixed position. The word “faith”(pistis - Strong G4102) connotes conviction of the Truth (Jesus). Thus, established in faith implies to the believer to make sure one is fixed in position and is assured and completely convinced of the Truth. “But without faith, it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Hebrews 11:6).
Lastly, one other point that is mentioned in this Scripture that is mostly forgotten is that in order to stay alive in Christ, one must be filled (abounding) with thanksgiving. When one forgets where God has brought him or her from, this behavior breeds the sin of unthankfulness, which is detrimental to one's relationship with Christ. Unthankfulness will destroy any relationship. Paul reminds the Ephesians, “Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ” (Ephesians 2:11-13 KJV). Pick a version of the Bible preferably AMPC and read Ephesians chapter 2 in its entirety. Being thankful will enable the Born Again Believer to enjoy the journey (walking, rooting, building, and growing up with the knowledge of in Him).
Find the awesome pleasure in walking with the King of kings, the Lord of lords, the Creator and Savior of your soul. Trust His plan and path for your life, and whatever comes on this journey, be confident that He really is working it out for your good and moving you from faith to even greater faith. Fall in love with Him and cleave to Him like never before. Build yourself up in faith by praying in the Holy Ghost (Jude 20), and telling yourself over and over the Truth (God’s Word). Find your place in Him. Connect to Him, and hear His heartbeat. Take on His Dream and Vision that none should perish. Build His Kingdom like there’s no tomorrow.
GO G.R.E.E.N.
Tonda Loyd Henry