“As you have therefore received Christ, [even] Jesus the Lord, [so] walk (regulate your lives and conduct yourselves) in union with and conformity to Him. Have the roots [of your being] firmly and deeply planted [in Him, fixed and founded in Him], being continually built up in Him, becoming increasingly more confirmed and established in the faith, just as you were taught, and abounding and overflowing in it with thanksgiving.” Colossians 2:6-7 ->me: Since I have accepted Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior, by which He has entered into me to take up residence to be glorified and magnified in all that I do; I must learn to be like Him and reflect His righteousness in all that I do. ‘In union with’ gives me the image of Jesus standing next to me and by association His character and person are influenced in the minds of those around me while here on earth (all that I do reflects on Him – both good and bad). In heaven, it is the other way around…because I am standing next to Jesus, God the Father associates and perceives the character of Jesus when He looks at me. In order to accomplish reflecting Jesus in all that I do, I must be grounded in Him by resting in His strength everyday. When I call on Jesus to be my strength and I feel the internal reward He gives me when I obey Him, my faith and trust and belief are expanded and increased the more I conform to His likeness in my life. I must NOT view the progress I make as something I have accomplished, but be abundantly grateful/thankful because it is what the Lord is doing in me.