Colossians 2:6-7 NLT
[6] “And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. [7] Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.”

There is a sequence and there are consequences to our faith in Jesus as Lord.

Let’s first examine the sequence.

Paul declared that faith in Jesus comes by hearing the gospel.

Romans 10:17 NLT
[17]”So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.”

When a person hears the gospel message and responds by believing the message and receiving Christ Jesus as Lord, a supernatural transformation takes place in him (or her). He is made alive to God and is transferred from Satan’s domain to the kingdom of God. He has begun a new life in union with Jesus, trusting Him and learning to obey His Word. Three words sum up this transformation… faith, Lord, and roots. Faith in Jesus as Lord, as supreme authority, replaces self as the energy of the new life, putting down strong roots into the love of God.

“Now”, says Paul, “that’s how you began. That’s how you must continue.” This is the essence of “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” The simplest and most profound way to become a strong and secure believer is to follow Jesus as Lord and to trust in His infallible love regardless of circumstances.

As we began this new life, so we must repeat the steps, over and over. Day after day, through every test and trial, in good and bad times, we must never give up or let go of the truth that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love in Christ. We nurture and nourish our fellowship with Him by protecting our union with Jesus through trust and obedience.

When we faithfully follow this simple pattern, there are consequences that help us hold steady and persevere regardless of the hardships that are part of life in a fallen world.

When we trust Jesus through difficult times, like muscles that grow strong through strenuous exercise, so our faith becomes secure in the love of God. How do we know that we are trusting in God’s goodness, no matter what? We complain less and give thanks to the Lord more. As trust grows, so does our expressions of gratitude to the Lord. We begin to see His goodness to us in things that once appeared to be disaster. We recognise His purpose…to use our troubles as discipline because He is forming Christ in us.

God will never give up on His purpose to conform us to the image of His Son. This was the goal of Paul’s life, the prize he was determined to win, no matter the cost.

Philippians 3:12-14 NLT
[12] “I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. [13] No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, [14] I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.”

He bent all his energies towards winning the prize himself and teaching and urging his fellow believers to strive for the same goal.

Colossians 1:26-29 NLT
[26] “This message was kept secret for centuries and generations past, but now it has been revealed to God’s people. [27] For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory. [28] So we tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us. We want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ. [29] That’s why I work and struggle so hard, depending on Christ’s mighty power that works within me.”

How can we also, despite the many deviations from this simple truth in the church today, join Paul on

in his race for the prize? If we follow the sequence and apply the consequences, we can be sure of a testimony as confident as Paul’s.

2 Timothy 4:6-8 NLT
[6] “As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. [7] I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. [8] And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.”