(6) “As ye have therefore received – Christ Jesus the Lord – so Walk ye In Him. (7) Rooted and Built up In Him – and Established – in the Faith – as ye have been taught – Abounding ThereIn with (or, more lit. “In”) Thanksgiving” [Col.2:6-7]
(11) “In Whom also – ye are Circumcised with the circumicision made without hands – In the Putting off the body of the sins of the flesh — In the Circumcision of Christ (12) Buried with Him – In Baptism – WhereIn also – ye are Risen with Him – through – The Faith — of the operation of God, Who hath Raised Him from the dead.” [Col.2:11-12]
“I am crucified With Christ – nevertheless I live — yet not I, but Christ – liveth In me – and the life which I now live In the flesh – I live by the Faith of the Son of God – who loved me and gave Himself for me. (21) I do not frustrate the grace of God – for if Righteousness came by the law – then Christ is dead In vain.” [Gal.2:20-21]
In last month’s devotional we examined the message of the Holy Spirit from Gal.2:16 – which was the fact that – the Faith that saves us – is none other than the Faith of our Lord Jesus Christ! Now, this month, we want to see clearly that – it is also the Faith of Christ by which we are clothed with – and by which we walk – day by day – through the deceitful darkness of this world. Hence, the first text listed above clearly states> “As ye have therefore received – Christ Jesus the Lord – so Walk ye In Him. Rooted and built up In Him – and Established – In the Faith – as ye have been taught – Abounding ThereIn with – THANKSGIVING!” [Col.2:6-7] HALLELUJAH!!
Remember last month how we also alluded to 2Cor.13:5? How that from that text we are commanded to Examine ourselves whether we are – “In the Faith”? And, the text goes on to say that we are to “prove” our own selves – “How that Jesus Christ” – is In us – “except” (or, unless) we be “reprobates”(?)! (which is a description of being the “seed of the Serpent” and not the “seed of the Savior”) [see Mt.13:37-39] This is why our obedience to 2Cor.13:5 is so important!
This all boils down to our being diligent and victorious in our battle over our own flesh! The Word of God declares plainly that our own hearts are – “deceitful above all things – and desperately wicked…” [Jer.17:9] This being true about us – what are we to do? We are no match against our own flesh – we (our very souls) are in a desperate and hopeless situation! The answer is once again found in the one and only hope – that is our Savior! Col.2:11-12> “In Whom also – ye are Circumcised with the Circumcision made without hands – In Putting off the body of the sins of the flesh – In the Circumcision of Christ! (12) Buried with Him – In baptism – WhereIn ye are Risen with Him – Through the Faith of the operation of God – Who hath Raised Him from the dead!” If it’s not all Christ – it’s all wrong!! Praise His Holy Name! Yes – even His Circumcision – is the Circumcision – of all the ones that God the Father has given unto God the Son (Who is the Savior Son of man – the Lord Jesus Christ).
This is why we can dogmatically say with the apostle Paul: “I am crucified With Christ – never–theless I live — yet not I, but Christ – liveth In me – and the life which I now live In the flesh – I live by the Faith of the Son of God – who loved me and gave Himself for me. (21) I do not frustrate the Grace of God – for if Righteousness came by the law – then Christ is dead In vain.” [Gal.2:20-21]
And, dear ones, Christ our Wonderful Savior is absolutely not – Dead In Vain!” Amen.
— John Carpenter
