Bethany Independent Presbyterian Church

Myanmar

PASTORAL LETTER 19 September 2022

PASTORAL LETTER 19 September 2022

 

Dear Brethren,

MEDITATION

As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him
and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving

Colossians 2:6-7

 

OBSERVATION AND INTERPRETATION

As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord

1. How we receive the Lord Jesus is critical
2. The word “receive” in Greek is a combination of two words (para + lambano)
3. The Colossian Christians received the Lord Jesus intimately

 

So walk in Him

1. The word “walk” is present imperative, hence, stressing the need to walk continuously
2. Just as the way we receive the Lord Jesus, so we are to walk in Him
3. Put differently, our Christology must constitute our Christian walk

 

Rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith…

1. We actually walk in Christ by following His example of faith and life

a. The Lord’s faith and life is the fulfilment of the Scriptures
b. This, in a theological analysis, is the backbone of our faith

2. It thus is important that we are rooted in the faith (the right teachings of the Scriptures), only then will we be built up in Christ and established in the faith!

a. Having been rooted in the right doctrines precedes to being built up in Him and established in the faith
b. No one is built up or established in the faith until and unless he/she is first rooted in the faith

3. Being rooted, built up and established in the faith, we abound in it with thanksgiving

a. Just as we were taught (the faith)
b. As the way we were instructed (in the faith)

 

APPLICATION TO LIFE AND MINISTRY
1. Let us stay committed to rooting ourselves in the right teachings of the Scriptures
2. Let us seek to

a. Receive the Lord Jesus warmly,
b. Walk in Him worthily

 

Prayerfully
Tomas Zatel

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