If Christ lives in us (See: Don’t Miss This!) and His life changes us to be in harmony with God, then what are we supposed to do?  What is our responsibility in this new life?  How can we make sure we don’t mess it up?

Like this:

“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)

We received Christ Jesus as Lord by faith; we live our lives in Him in the same way: by faith.  If you test this out, you’ll see quickly how it works.  Jesus’ life in us moves us to do things that seem upside down to us.  Such as, “Love your enemies,” or, “Forgive completely as God has forgiven you.”  Daring to follow His lead in these ways truly takes faith, faith that His way is really better.  Next time you risk forgiveness, you do so by faith.

The more we use faith, the stronger it becomes.  As trees grow roots, they increase their ability to be nourished while also gaining strength to withstand heavy winds.  Same thing in following Jesus.  Our roots grow and we become “rooted and strong.”  We more easily are “nourished and strengthened” by His Spirit. Trees grow larger as they are rooted.   Likewise, we are “built up in Him.”

When you learn to ski, it takes faith to put your weight on the downhill ski.  It seems counterintuitive.  And yet, when you risk it, suddenly you  swoop through a turn, kicking up powder.  Then what?  You pump a fist in the air and shout, right?  Same thing when you test out faith  and power through a couple of turns with Jesus.  You see how it works and want to shout with amazement.  You “overflow with thankfulness!”

Don’t stress about this, enjoy it.  It starts with faith and continues with faith.  Risk it.