Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
Colossians 2:6-7 (ESV)
 
     Paul has spent the first 34 verses extolling the majesty of Christ. Now he tells his readers to act out their faith. Is Jesus really the sovereign Lord of the universe? Then live like it. Is he the center of God's plan? Then live like it. Did he alone purchase our redemption? Then it should affect the way we live. Does the fullness of God dwell in him? Well...

     The kind of Christianity Paul was advocating demanded a choice to live out the reality that Jesus brought. It is not some philosophical theory. It is life. He is the fulfillment of all the promises of God, and we can experience those promises by embracing Jesus for who he really is. Walking it out means we choose to believe what he says even if our feelings or circumstances don't seem to validate it. He is the initiator of all our salvation. He alone has done what is necessary for us to have the same fellowship with the Father as he. He is our peace, our redemption, our wisdom, our holiness.

     We have been rooted in him and are now being built up in him. We are being established in faith. He is behind all of this. What should we do? Abound in thanksgiving! What else could you do? To attempt to walk out faith in Christ without being overwhelmed by thanksgiving is to attempt something difficult. Keeping the focus on him and what he has done will keep our focus right. Faith is not a formula. It is not a technique. It is the normal response to his faithfulness.

     Because we really do believe that Jesus is the agent of creation, the sustainer of creation, the redeemer of mankind, the Word of God, the final Lamb, the ultimate temple, the new covenant, the judge of all mankind, and the restorer of creation we could never authentically live like those who have no hope. We could never be content to be coddled by religion and conformed by the petty values of a materialistic world that denies the Lord who made it. Our belief forces us to act. We cannot but walk in a way consistent with the revelation of Jesus. And we shall do it giving thanks!