“And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow Him. Let your roots grow down into Him and let your lives be built on Him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.” (Colossians 2:6-7 NLT)
Substance speaks to the essence of something, the fundamental or essential quality or elements that comprise whatever it is, whether a speech or a life. Considering the above verses, what can we glean from the words of Paul that can guide us in the formation of a life of substance in and for the Lord Jesus?
Notice first, that a life of substance demands accepting“Christ Jesus as your Lord.” What does that mean? What might that look like in practical terms? Think of a wedding between a man and a woman deeply in love and fully committed to one another. There lifelong determination is to grow in their love and devotion to one another “’til death do us part!” That’s what “accepting Jesus as Lord” looks like.
Acceptance here carries with it the weight of responsibility to be accountable as well as devoted to another. Our life is no longer simply about us, it’s about investing our life in the wellbeing of another, and, more specifically, that one whose life we will influence for the Lord. What does that involve? It implies partnership with the Lord in learning, growing, and developing as a child of God. Learning to love others as we love ourselves and Him.
It means becoming a student of the Lord Jesus, but also a student of His holy Word, both of which involve community and co-learning, as well as individual study. A life of substance is never developed in a vacuum, but in the context of a godly community of faith in Jesus. That’s what following Him looks like. Partnering with others to grow in our likeness of Him.
Yes, of course, we follow Him individually in the formation of godly disciplines like prayer, reading and studying Scripture, worship and celebration of who Jesus is and who we are in Him, but it must also include finding a church body that is centered and focused on helping you develop the character you need to be a person of substance for the Lord. And out of that larger body, we must find and be devoted to a smaller group of like-minded Jesus followers who are also determined to grow in their relationship with the Lord. I love how my friend Ray Majoran words it in his beautiful prayer:
“Holy and faithful God, You are the One who establishes what will endure; every lasting good in our lives comes from Your hand. You are righteous in all Your ways, and worthy of our trust and praise. Build us into a people who love what is upright, and who walk in reverent fear before You, because unless You build the house, those who build it labor in vain (Psalm 127:1).
Form in us the kind of hearts that produce a life of substance, so that our words, choices, and relationships rest on the wisdom that comes from You. Help us to be rooted and established in Christ (Colossians 2:6-7). Give us the grace to receive Your Word deeply, like those who hear it and put it into practice, whose house stands firm when the storm comes (Matthew 7:24–25).
May our homes, our witness, and our daily conduct reflect the stability that comes from belonging to You. By the power of Your Spirit, keep us faithful over time — sincere in private, and steadfast in public — so that what we build would honor Your name and remain by Your mercy long after we are gone.”
Food for thought,
Blessings, Ed 😊
Walking With Jesus 