Colossians 2:6-12

The greatest need of the church today is for a greater number of Christians who are not shallow or sinful, but deep and committed.

John Stott

 

 

The Marks of Spiritual Maturity:                                                                                             vv. 6-8

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, 7rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

8See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.

 

1.   Confidence in God .                                                                          1 John 4:17-19

In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. 18There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

19We love because he first loved us.

 

2.   Obedience to God’s will .                                                                       1 John 5:1-3

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. 2This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. 3This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome,

 

3.   Growth in grace .                                                                                    Romans 8:1

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,

 

4.   Love for God’s family .                                                                           1 John 5:4-8

for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

6This is the one who came by water and blood Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. 7For there are three that testify: 8the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement.

 

 

Superficiality is the curse of our day.

                                                              Richard S. Foster

 

 

The Path of Spiritual Maturity:                                                                                              vv. 9-12

For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority. 11In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, 12having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.

 

1.   Walk carefully .                                                                                        Psalm 1:1-2

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. 2But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.

 

 

2.   Walk confidently .                                                                                   Hebrews 6:1

Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God,

 

3.   Walk victoriously .                                                                                         Acts 1:8

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

 

4.   Walk circumspectly .                                                                           Hebrews 12:14

Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.