I’M not quite ready to return to our consideration in the book on Positional Truth. We took a little detour last week, and I’d like to spend a little longer there, going a little further into what it means to “reckon” upon the finished work of Christ.
“AS you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him” (Col. 2:6).
THERE are verses in scripture that are like pearls on a string. Alone they hold wondrous value, strung together with others they become a thing of true beauty to behold and ponder. Col. 2.6 is one of those verses of great value in and/or out of context. In context it links what Paul saw in the “steadfast faith” of the beloved brethren for which he rejoiced, linking that joy to his encouragement that they remain vigilant in the things they had been taught with thanksgiving. Taken out of context however, it presents an important statement, a reminder and truth concerning a fundamental of the Christian Life: “As you… received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him.”
AS it relates to our Christian walk and growth, here’s a question I enjoy asking troubled souls: How did you receive Christ and all the blessings that reside in Him? Answer: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works…” (Eph. 2:8-9a). The answer is you received Him by grace, through faith, not of yourself, but totally of Him, a free gift of God’s infinite love and grace. So, here’s the secret of the Christian life; after having received Christ through grace by faith, that process remains unchanged and never ceases as you continue in your daily “walk” by faith. This is what daily “reckoning” upon the completed and finished work of Christ really is, counting as so moment-by-moment what he has done and continues to do on your behalf in the finished and completed work of redemption fully accomplished AND applied. “As you… received Christ Jesus the Lord, so keep on walking in His grace by faith, not relying upon yourself, but your heavenly Father who supplies “all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19); “who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us” (Eph. 3:20); “being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Phil. 1:6).
AS you have received Christ Jesus by faith, keep on relying upon Him in the same manner, reckoning, counting upon Him alone, your Kinsman Redeemer for everything you need in faith and practice. “He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it” (1Thes. 5:24) – Reckon it as so.
BY the way – Col. 2:6; Eph. 2:8-9; Phil. 4:9; Eph. 3:20; Phil. 1:16; and 1Thess. 5:24 make a string of pearls of great value to commit to memory, to adorn one’s heart and mind for continuous comfort, assurance, and true joy.
In the wondrous blessings of Christ,
Joe
Neh. 8:10, Isa. 30:15 & Job 2:10
