GUARDING WHAT WE ALREADY HAVE (II)
“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.” Colossians 2:6-7 NIV
There’s a temptation that creeps in unnoticed, especially for those who have been walking with the Lord for some time. It’s the subtle lie that what began in the Spirit must now be carried forward in the strength of our flesh. We start by grace, broken, desperate, and in awe of mercy, and then somewhere along the way, we begin striving as though the weight of sanctification rests on our shoulders alone.
But Paul reminds us in Colossians: the way in is the way on. Just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, in humility, dependency, and faith — so continue to live in Him. The Christian life isn’t a baton we take from God’s hand so we can sprint off in our own strength. It’s a vine we abide in. The root remains our source. The soil of grace is where we must stay planted. You cannot guard what you have in Christ if you’re busy trying to improve on it by fleshly effort. The Spirit that convicted you is the same Spirit that conforms you and the grace that saved you is the grace that strengthens you. Finally, the Lord who drew you in is the Lord who keeps you grounded.
There is no spiritual growth apart from remaining in Him. The rooted life is a guarded life. One that isn’t tossed by every new teaching, nor shaken by temporary trial, because it knows where it came from and chooses to remain there. Being built up in Him means your life takes its shape from Christ, not from self-effort, not from worldly success, not even from religious performance.
And notice the fruit: overflowing with thankfulness. Gratitude is the evidence of a guarded life.
It shows we haven’t forgotten what we were rescued from, and it keeps our eyes on the Giver, not just the gifts. The Spirit produces thankfulness because He constantly reminds us that we are being carried, not performing. So stay. Abide. Guard what you’ve received — not by clenching your fists, but by rooting your heart deeper into Jesus.
Prayer: My Father, thank you for this wisdom. Remind me daily of the way I first came to You, in need, in surrender, and in faith. Help me not to drift into self-reliance or religious striving. Help me to remain rooted in You, built up by Your truth, and overflowing with gratitude for the grace that keeps me. Teach me to walk each day not in my own strength, but in the power of Your Spirit. Guard me from the lie that I must finish what You alone began. In Your name I pray, Amen.
CI.
RELATED RESOURCES
• Galatians 3:3
• John 15:4-5
• Philippians 1:6
