The Cycle of Christian Maturity

Colossians 2:6-13

There are seven things that are WITH HIM and IN HIM from Colossians 2. These seven things are centered around the fact that the fullness of God dwells in Christ. Because of this we are affected deeply. Through these steps, we come to maturity:

The fullness of  God dwells in Christ (Col. 2:9)

i

We walk in Him (Col. 2:6)

i

We get built up and enriched in Him (Col. 2:7)

i

We become complete in Him – Filled with God (Col. 2:10)

i

We are circumcised in our hearts as we remain in Him (Col. 2:11)

i

We are buried with Him into His death (Col. 2:12)

i

We are raised with Him into resurrection power (Col. 2:12)

i

We are forever alive in Him (Col. 2:13)

Because the fullness of God dwells in Christ:
When we walk in Him we are built up and enriched in Him. This makes us complete in Him and filled with God because we are circumcised in Him and buried with Him into His death until we are raised with Him. The result is that we become completely alive forever with Him.

It is the fullness of God in Christ and in us that makes this happen.

Then the cycle begins again - because we are alive in Him...we continue to walk in Him and get built up in Him so that we can be complete in Him...and so on. This is the cycle of our continual maturing in Christ.

Another way to look at it:

Paul's Prayer For Believers

Paul just has a wonderful way with words - look at how he prays for the Colossians - here are 7 layers of blessing over these Believers:

Colossians 1:9-12

• that you may be filled with the knowledge of HIs will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding

• that you may walk worthy of the Lord - fully pleasing Him

•  that you would be fruitful in every good work

• that you would be increasing in the knowledge of God

• that you would be strengthened with all might according to His glorious power

• that you would have all patience and longsuffering with joy

• that you would give thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance

Just imagine the impact on lives if we walked in these 7 things!!