Welcome to the final part of our series, "The Way."

This series is a time to think deeply about what it means to follow Jesus.

At RLC, we rally around these points as values for how we live our lives in fellowship together.

(Colossians 1:27-29, 2:2-3) For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory. So we tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us. We want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ. That’s why I work and struggle so hard, depending on Christ’s mighty power that works within me... I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself. In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

The way of a disciple of Christ is someone who lives as ALL of Christ for ALL OF LIFE.

Overall Commentary: 🌎

In the text above, Paul is explaining what motivates and drives him forward. This is the same that should inspire us all. When we realize that Christ is available to all and dwells in the life of the believer, we want to see that relationship grow.

This is the obvious next step for anyone who has experienced the goodness of Christ. We want to be a developer of others so they can experience the Lord, too.

Commentary.

Verse 28a. Give what we are receiving.

Paul is saying that His ministry is two-fold. This is the first step. He wants to share what He has learned about Christ. As a former Pharisee, he had been trained by the best of the best in the ways of the Law. Now, he adds to His knowledge the illumination of the Holy Spirit.

The first goal of the Christian is to know God ourselves so we have something to share with others. Then, we don't finish growing before sharing with others. We share as we know God more.

Verse 28b. Grow together.

"perfect..."- The term "perfect" means to grow toward maturity or "full freedom." Once we come to know Christ, He begins the process of growing and developing us toward freedom. The joy is to see this happen in the lives of all those around us. We grow together until we are all fully mature.

Paul says that he can do all this because of the power of Christ working in Him. The great thing about sharing Christ is that we can see Christ working in them. The glory of watching others come to know Christ breathes fresh wind into our sails all over again.

God's Promise:

(Ephesians 3:16-17) I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.