1. Continue to live in him (6-7)

We received Christ Jesus by faith, and we must continue to live in him by faith. When we receive Jesus as Savior and Lord, we begin a new life. We must take root in Christ and grow. When we continue to grow in Christ, our faith is strengthened and our hearts overflow with thanksgiving. If there is no thanksgiving overflowing from my heart, it means I'm not growing.

2. See that no one takes you captive (8)

The hollow and deceptive philosophies which depend on the principles of the world are still around today. Many people have been captured by a psychology which rests on a materialistic view of man. They become prisoners of fatalism. Others are captured by their own sinful desires when they indulge their sinful natures and follow their natural feelings. When we take root in Christ and are grounded in him, no one can take us captive.

Application: Lord, help me to live by the same faith with which I received Christ.
One Word: Rooted and built up in Christ