“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live 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)

So then…

Paul, the author of Colossians is letting us know with these two words that he has already given some important words to acknowledge.  Phrases like, “so then,” “therefore,” “accordingly,” and “consequently” should send a red flag up in your mind to read the Scripture that immediately precedes the passage you are looking at.  Go back as far as you need to, to dig into what God is trying to say through His Word.

In this passage of Scripture, we see that Paul is writing to the church and he specifically mentions the people in Laodicea.  He even mentions those who have not met him personally.  He declares that his purpose is to encourage and unite in love the people of the church.  This way they may understand God in a full way and come to enjoy every treasure found in Christ.  He has not stopped encouraging the body of Christ, even though he cannot be present with them.  Paul was a man who saw the glass half full.

I was thinking about this today, as I picked out the shirt in my closet to wear.  To tell you the truth, my husband picked it out in the store.  It has a cup on it with a cup that is half full and underneath it says, “half full.”  It is a “Life is Good” shirt.  And let me tell you life is good with God, my cup is overflowing with God.  I was so blessed when my husband picked up this shirt for me, it showed that he knew my character.  He knows that no matter what, I will always see the good in all things.  I can’t help it, it’s just in me.  I remember in college, my friends would see me coming and say, “Sarah will find something good in this.”  Inevitably, even on a rainy day when we were about to go to a water park, I could list of five positive things.  We were already going to get wet, there wouldn’t be any lines for the rides, we needed rain because of the dry season, we were blessed to be able to go to the water park, and we wouldn’t get sunburns.  Yeah!  Oh, how great it is to live with a cup overflowing in God!  Is your cup half full or half empty?  Do people look at you and see God overflowing in your life?  If not, what measures do you need to take to get things back in order?  God wants to see your cup runneth over with His love!  Back to the passage above…

…just as you received Christ as Lord, continue to live in Him…

Once you have received Christ as Lord, there is no turning back.  It’s time to continue living.  It’s time to be hot or cold.  It’s interesting that Paul mentions the church in Laodicea before this verse because later in Revelation we find out that the church has become lukewarm and God is ready to spit the whole church out of His mouth.  Here is a little history behind what was happening during Paul’s time…

Church of Laodicea

Overthrown often by earthquakes. It was rebuilt by its wealthy citizens, without state help, when destroyed in A.D. 62 (Tacitus, Annals 14:27). This wealth (arising from its excellent wools) led to a self satisfied “lukewarm” state in spiritual things, which the Lord condemns as more dangerous than positive icy coldness (Revelation 3:14-21)

The “lukewarm” state, if the transitional stage to a warmer, is desirable (for a little religion, if real, is better than none), but fatal when an abiding state, for it is mistaken for a safe state (Revelation 3:17). The danger is of disregarded principle; religion enough to lull the conscience, not to save the soul; halting between two opinions (1 Kings 18:21; 2 Kings 17:41; Ezekiel 20:39; Matthew 6:24). The hot (at Hierapolis) and cold springs near Laodicea suggested the simile. As worldly poverty favors poverty of spirit (Matthew 5:3, compare Luke 6:20), so worldly riches tend to spiritual self sufficiency (Hosea 12:8).

Information taken from article at http://www.bible-history.com/faussets/L/Laodicea/

This really sheds a lot of light on where Paul was coming from and why He urges us to continue living in God alone.  In is not a one day thing, not a one time experience on the mountain top, not a when I feel like it state of mind, or even a I’ll do it when I have to kind of attitude.  It’s an every day thing!  An all or nothing kind of thing.  It’s this or we become like the church in Laodicea which God says some very clear and harsh words about.  Here are the words, I will let you discern for yourself what you would like your life to look like to God!

“So, because you are lukewarm–neither hot nor cold–I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” ~Revelation 3:16

Will you be hot or cold for God?  No more fence riding!  It’s time to choose a side!

…rooted and built up in Him…

How do you get roots?  Start to learn who you are in God.  Find out about your heritage.  Build your life upon the rock!  Dig into the Word of God and let your roots go deep into the soil of His Truth.

…strengthened in the faith as you were taught…

Finding stength in your faith can be difficult, if you do not surround yourself with others who believe in what you believe.  You need to find a church that preaches from the Word of God and shares the life that Jesus lived.  Find a small group where you can be accountable and have family in the Lord.  This is where you will find strength and your faith will be sharpened.  Continue to learn from those who have been following the Word of God and if you can find someone who will go out for coffee with you.  Ask the questions that are on your mind.  Let yourself be sharpened by the wisdom of someone else’s years of experience in their faith!  Then share the wisdom you find with someone else who is growing in their faith!

…and overflowing with thankfulness.

When you read all that is above, I hope and pray your heart will be overflowing with thankfulness.  May you find that the cup is half full with God in your life and overflowing when you allow His love to pour into your life.  Learn to look at even the bad things in life and find the good!  It is possible!  Choose to find the gifts that God presents in every obstacle and let Him use every event in life as a vehicle to move you to a new opportunity!  You never know where God will lead you!

Dear Father God, Please help me to always be on fire or ice cold for you.  I pray that I will never be lukewarm.  May my life never fall in the danger realm of mediocrity and may those who know me hold me accountable to that!  Help me to live a life worthy of Your calling!  I desire Your best daily!

On Fire for You with a Cup that’s Overflowing,

Sarah