A True Walk: Colossians 2:1-7, especially vs. 6: "As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him." The truth of the Gospel brought us to the Lord Jesus, inspired us to embrace the Holy Orthodox Faith and begin the life in Christ. Evangelical truth should also establish us in a true "walk" in the Lord. In today's reading, the Apostle identifies seven ways we may achieve a true walk, yes, even we who "have not seen [His] face in the flesh" (vs. 1).
"...being knit together in love" (vs. 2). The whole "mystery of God, both of the Father and of the Son" (vs. 2), as it has been disclosed in and through the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ, reveals that the nature of God is love. Each member of the Church, renewed in His image, presents us with a person in need of love. With those who are buoyant, affable, and giving, we naturally desire to be "knit together." With others who are withdrawn, difficult, and withholding, the challenge is greater, yet each of our fellow Christians is a gift to us - to learn how to love.
"...attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding" (vs. 2, NAS). Living as a Christian is a way to journey through life, yet most of all it is a journey into the heart of God (Mt. 11:29). When we journey as Christians, we gain greater and greater understanding of ourselves, of our world and, most of all, of our God Who created us and our whole race and Who has exalted us above all His creatures. What other creature's flesh has He assumed? Further, as we grow in understanding of Him, we are filled with assurance concerning our own being, so that life's journey becomes a means of acquiring the riches of God's Kingdom.
"...good order" (vs. 5). To walk in Christ is to share the life of His Body in the Eucharistic community to which we belong. Supporting the good order of each church, of each assembly of the People of God, is part of a true walk. Indifference to the Church's good order is a step "out of bounds," while disruption of good order is an offense against God and the Gospel.
"...steadfastness of your faith in Christ" (vs. 5). "Steadfastness of faith" is one of the three basic means for achieving a true walk, which the Apostle explicitly connects to the Person of the Lord. To walk truly, we must maintain trust in the Lord Jesus. It is He upon Whom we must rely, and deliberately. As we struggle to love unlovable people or to keep good order in our communities, or just to live in the world, let us be sure that much will assault our faith, to tear it down, wear it away, and inhibit our trust in our God and Savior. So then, whenever we observe our faith shrinking, let us confess our struggle to the Lord and seek the counsel of our Confessor. Above all let us cry out as did the man in the Gospel, "Lord, I believe; help Thou mine unbelief" (Mk. 9:24)! When we are not ashamed to admit that we are weak and plagued with doubt, we shall be "established in faith" (Col. 2:7) by the Spirit of Christ Who dwells within us.
"...rooted and built up in Him" (vs. 7). The next two ways of achieving a true walk are to be "rooted" in Christ and then to "be built up in Him." In the Lord's image of the True Vine and the branches (Jn.15:1ff), He emphasizes "abiding," which, like "rootedness," underscores vital connection with the Lord, by which His life flows into ours. All of the Fathers in Holy Tradition teach the absolute necessity of prayer for growing in and for the sustaining of a healthy, life-giving relationship with the Lord. Prayer roots us and builds us up. Let us pray to the Lord!
"...abounding in [faith] with thanksgiving" (vs. 7). We observed above, that to walk truly is to strive for genuine faith in the Lord. To make the effort to sustain a relationship with the Lord requires the risk of trusting Him and His words. Each small risk we take produces an abounding growth in faith. In turn, faith exerted produces thanksgiving and praise to God.
Grant, O Lord, that we may walk in the true way of Thy commandments all our days.