Useful Bible Studies > Colossians Commentary > chapter 2

What it means to receive Christ into our lives

Colossians 2:6

To ‘receive Christ’ means to invite him into our lives. To do that, we must turn from our sin (evil deeds) and we must put our trust in him (Acts 2:38; Acts 3:19). Those people who do that become the children of God (John 1:12). God changes their lives completely (2 Corinthians 5:17); Christ said that they are born again (John 3:3).

When a person puts their trust in Christ, they also accept Christ’s authority over their life. Christ becomes their guide and helper on whom they depend. They recognise that Christ truly is God. Paul explains this in the title that he uses here: ‘Christ Jesus the Lord’. ‘Jesus’ was his name during his life here on earth. It reminds us that Christ truly was a man; he lived on earth among us. ‘Christ’ is his title as the king whom God appointed. It reminds us that he will in the future rule over all things (1:15-18). ‘Lord’ is our translation of the Greek word KURIOS. That word can mean a master, but is also the translation from the Hebrew language of YHWH, God’s most holy name.

When we receive Christ, that is the start of our lives as Christians. Paul says that we must then ‘walk in him’. In the Bible to ‘walk’ is often a word-picture for how we live. We have accepted Christ as our guide; so we must now walk (live) in the way that he directs us. In other words, we must do the things that he approves of. As Christians, we must not continue to behave in a selfish or evil manner. Our greatest desire should be to please God.

Next part: Christians must grow and develop their trust in Christ (Colossians 2:7)

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© 2019, Keith Simons.