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There is great safety in going back to first principles. To make sure of being in the right way, it is good to look back at the entrance. Well begun is half done. The Colossians have commenced well; let them go on as they have begun.

I. THE FACT STATED. Sincere believers have "received" Christ. This is the old gospel word. Here is no evolution from within, but a gift from without heartily accepted by the soul. This is free grace language; "received," not earned or purchased. Not received Christ's words — though that is true, for we prize every precept and doctrine — but received Christ. Observe —

1. The personality of Him whom they received. "Christ Jesus the Lord," His person, Godhead, humanity, Himself into their

(1)  knowledge;

(2)  understanding;

(3)  affections;

(4)  trust;

(5)  as their life at their new birth, for when they received Him He gave them power to become the sons of God.

2. The threefold character in which they received Him..

(1)  As Christ anointed and commissioned of God;

(2)  as Jesus, the Saviour to redeem and sanctify them;

(3)  as the Lord to reign and rule over them with undivided sway.

3. The looking away from self in this saving act of reception. It is not said, as ye have fought for Jesus and won Him; or, studied the truth and discovered Christ Jesus; but, as ye have "received" Him. This strips us of everything like boasting, for all we do is to receive.

4. The blessed certainty of the experience of those to whom Paul wrote: "As ye have received Christ Jesus the Lord." They had really received Jesus; they had found the blessing to be real: no doubt remained as to their possession of it.

II. THE COUNSEL GIVES: "So walk ye in Him." There are four things suggested by "walk."

1. Life.

2. Continuance.

3. Activity.

4. Progress.

III. THE MODEL WHICH IS PRESENTED TO US. We are to walk in Christ Jesus the Lord "as we received Him." And how was that? We received Him —

1. Gratefully.

2. Humbly.

3. Joyfully.

4. Effectually.

5. Unreservedly.Thus we should continue to walk in Him, evermore in our daily life excelling in all these points. Alas, some have never received Jesus! Our closing words must be addressed to such.

(C. H. Spurgeon.)

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KJV: As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:

WEB: As therefore you received Christ Jesus, the Lord, walk in him,