Since You Have Received Christ Jesus as Lord
“6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.
9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. 11 In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.
13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.”
Paul addresses the Colossian believers, saying, “Since you have received Christ Jesus as Lord,” emphasizing that confessing Jesus as Lord is the starting point and essence of faith. The confession made when first accepting Jesus as Lord deepens and expands over time, leading to a continual acknowledgment of Christ’s lordship in every area of life.
Paul exhorts believers to walk in Christ, being rooted and built up in Him. Faith is a process of embedding our values and way of life deeply in Jesus. At first, external actions may change according to church teachings, but over time, even our inner thoughts and mindset are transformed by Christ’s lordship. This transformation is also reflected in our prayer life. Initially, we may pray for personal needs, but as our faith matures, the depth and scope of our prayers expand, embracing the world.
Paul warns against deceptive philosophy and empty deceit. Just as the Colossian church faced worldly influences, our faith today is also challenged by secular values and philosophies—economic success, individualism, and human-centered thinking—that can distort our belief and limit Christ’s lordship. However, Jesus is not just our personal Lord; He reigns above all rulers and authorities, governing the entire universe. Our faith must stand on this unshakable foundation rather than worldly ideologies.
Through the cross, Jesus disarmed all powers and authorities and triumphed over them. His death and resurrection bring true freedom and deliverance. When we boldly pray and acknowledge His rule over every aspect of life, we will stand firm against worldly influences and grow deeper in Christ.
Prayer: Lord, we confess that Your death on the cross is the power that saves and sets us free, bringing forth the renewal of all creation. May we recognize You as the Lord of our lives and the Lord of all creation. Grant us the strength to live today in Your power and the wisdom to discern where our loyalty should lie. Amen.
(Note: This summary was created based on an AI draft.)