Jesus Christ

Since you have accepted Christ Jesus as Lord, live in union with him.  GNT NIV  So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him,

1.        Paul says since you have accepted Christ Jesus as Lord.  This means you have made a decision to accept His master ship, leadership, authority, power to make decisions for your life and make decisions on your behalf.  Now live in union with Him.

2.       This means to become one with Him.  Obey his will.  Be His instrument.  To be united with one purpose.  In the case of a Christian it is to bring salvation and redemption to the world in whatever form that means

3.       We are to live our lives in Him.  That means our thoughts, words, deeds. attitudes, motives, reactions, perceptions should be lined up with Christ Jesus.  The will of God should be our top priority . C.S. Lewis wrote:  “You will never know how much you believe until its truth or falsehood because a matter of life and death for you.”

7 rooted and built up in him,

1.        We are called to be rooted and grounded in Him.  We need to be connected to the power source.  Rooted means to be connected to the power source and to have life slowing through you. The Holy Spirit lives inside of you and He is the source of this power  

2.       Grounded means to becoming mature, solid, in a position of battle, having a firm foundation, Jesus called Himself and His teachings a firm foundation.  The bible calls it a cornerstone.  It is a position of trust from where you can present your arguments of truth.  You are grounded by personal and corporate bible study, prayer, going to church, sharing your faith, being accountable to others and be transparent between God and His people

7 strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

1.        Paul knew that people needed to be discipled. Paul was in Ephesus he gave daily bible classes in Ephesus. 

2.       This strengthens us for anything that comes our way.  Jesus spent 3 years training His disciples.  There is no short cut to Christian maturity.  It happens one verse at a time, one prayer, one worship service.  

3.       Two things happen when you are strengthen in the faith as you are taught.  You make a decision to be thankful and you develop a thankful disposition.  You know what Christ has done.  You learn to give thanks in all things.  You become an example of thankfulness. It literally flows out of you.  The Holy Spirit is your source of thankfulness.  You water and influence those around you.  

Conclusion

As Paul closes he says true freedom is found in accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and savior and living your lives in Him.  It is being rooted and grounded in Him.  True freedom is being strengthened in the faith that we have been taught and overflowing with thankfulness.