The Soldier (v. 5).

The words order and steadfastness are military terms. They describe an army that is solidly united against the enemy.

Order – describes the arrangement of the army in ranks, with each soldier in his proper place.

Not everybody can be a five-star general, but the general could never fight the battle alone.

Steadfastness pictures the soldiers in battle formation, presenting a solid front to the enemy.

Christians ought to make progress in discipline and obedience, just as soldiers on the battlefield.

The Walk (v. 6).

The Christian life is compared to a pilgrimage, and believers must learn to walk.

Paul had already encouraged his readers to “walk worthy of the Lord” (Col. 1:10),

and later he used this image again (Col. 3:7; 4:5).

 In the Ephesian epistle, the companion letter to the Colossian epistle, Paul used the image at least seven times (Eph. 2:2, 10; 4:1, 17; 5:2, 8, 15).

We are to walk in Christ the same way we originally received Christ

—by faith.

The gnostic teachers wanted to introduce some “new truths” for Christian maturity, but Paul denounced them.

“You started with Christ and you must continue with Christ,”

Paul wrote. “You started with faith and you must continue with faith. This is the only way to make spiritual progress.”

The Roots (v. 7a).

 Rooted is an agricultural word. 

Christians are not to be tumbleweeds that have no roots and are blown about by “every wind of doctrine” (Eph. 4:14).

Nor are they to be “transplants” that are repeatedly moved from soil to soil.

Once we are rooted by faith in Christ, there is no need to change the soil!

The roots draw up the nourishment so that the tree can grow.

The roots also give strength and stability.

The building (v. 7b).

 Built-up is an architectural term.

It is in the present tense: “being built up.” When we trust Christ to save us, we are put on the foundation; from then on, we grow in grace.

The word edify that is found often in Paul’s letters simply means “to build up.”

 To make spiritual progress means to keep adding to the temple to the glory of God.

The Instruction (v. 7c).

It is the Word of God that builds and strengthens the Christian.

Epaphras had faithfully taught the Colossian believers the truth of the Word (Col. 1:7).

But the false teachers were undermining that doctrine.

Today, Christians who study the Word become established in the faith.

Satan has a difficult time deceiving the Bible-taught believer.

The river (v. 7d).

The word abounding is often used by Paul. It suggests the picture of a river overflowing its banks.

Our first experience in the Lord is that of drinking the water of life by faith, and He puts within us an well of living water (John 4:10–14).

But that well should become a “river of living water” (John 7:37–39)

that grows deeper and deeper.

The image of the river flowing from the sanctuary (Ezek. 47) getting deeper as it flows, probably is what Paul had in mind.

Sad to say, many of us are making no progress—our lives are shallow trickles instead of mighty rivers.

Thankful Spirit

Again, Paul mentioned “thanksgiving” (see Col. 1:3, 12). A thankful spirit is a mark of Christian maturity.

When a believer is abounding in thanksgiving, he is really making progress!

By reviewing these pictures of spiritual progress, we see how the growing Christian can easily defeat the enemy and not be led astray.

If his spiritual roots are deep in Christ, he will not want any other soil.

 If Christ is his sure foundation, he has no need to move.

If he is studying and growing in the Word, he will not be easily enticed by false doctrine.

 And if his heart is overflowing with thanksgiving, he will not even consider turning from the fullness he has in Christ.

 A grounded, growing, grateful believer will not be led astray.