Do you remember when you were younger and couldn’t wait to grow up and be an adult?  Funny thing about that… if you’re reading this now, that actually happened.  And you didn’t even have to work for it.  There might have been some “growing pains” along the way, but eventually you reached your full height and stature without even trying.

VS 6-7 - In Colossians 2, Paul lets us know that spiritual growth and maturity don’t just happen.  We don’t wake up one day fully developed as followers of Jesus Christ.  In fact, Paul describes it as being much more like trying to grow a plant.  You have to provide the right ingredients, but it still doesn’t happen overnight.  It’s a process in which the roots need to grow deep because our nourishment comes directly from the fertile soil that Jesus Christ has planted us in.  Unless we allow ourselves to grow deep into his Word, we will never grow into the men & women we are capable of becoming.  Our growth will be stunted at best.

VS 11-15 - The same power that raised Christ from the dead is able to help us overcome our sinfulness.  Since he has authority over every other power, including the power of evil in our lives, Jesus can set us free.  Our freedom is not just from the bondage of the past but also from the spiritual bondage of our old sinful natures.  In Christ, we can experience the life of peace and joy that God intends for us.

VS 20-23 - Paul once again is the ultimate straight-shooter in these verses.  Sure, legalism may sound like a good option to keep us away from our old sinful nature, but it’s not now, it has never been, nor will it ever be the answer for that.  Maybe you have tried that yourself in order to break free from sin patterns and the bondage of old habits.  Have you ever told yourself, “I just need to try harder.”  Paul says that will never work by itself because it looks to our own strength.  It leads us away from the only adequated source of power - God in Jesus Christ.  He is the only one with the power to transform us and help us rebuild our lives.

Tags: Apostle Paul, Colossians, Jesus Christ, legalism, spiritual growth