BECOMING STABLE IN CHRIST: DAY OCTOBER 11, 2026

BIBLE PASSAGE: COLOSSIANS 2:6–10 (KJV)

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

7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power.

EXHORTATION

KEY VERSE:

“Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.” — Colossians 2:7 (KJV)

Welcome to Mercy Speaking Daily Devotional on this Sunday, October 11, 2026. Yesterday, we considered The Power of Inner Growth and learned that God desires to strengthen our hearts through His Spirit. Today, we take the next step by considering what it means to become stable in Christ. Just as a tree needs deep roots to remain standing during a storm, every believer needs a firm foundation in Jesus to withstand temptation, disappointment and changing circumstances. May God establish our hearts in His truth and help us grow into Christians whose faith remains firm through every season of life.

The life of John Newton (1725–1807) illustrates how a person can be transformed by God’s grace and grow into a life of Christian service. On 10 March 1748, while returning to England aboard a ship caught in a violent storm, Newton experienced a spiritual awakening that marked a turning point in his life. His transformation, however, was not instantaneous or complete. Over time, he continued to study the Christian faith and pursue ministry. In 1764, he became a curate in Olney, England, and later became widely known as the writer of the hymn Amazing Grace. Having once participated in the slave trade, Newton eventually spoke against the trade and published a work challenging it. His journey reminds us that Christian stability involves an ongoing work of grace: Christ calls us to turn from our former ways, grow in truth and allow our faith to shape our lives. Read more about John Newton at the Library of Congress.

To become stable in Christ means to establish our lives firmly upon Him so that our convictions, choices and conduct are guided by His Word. Stability does not mean that we will never experience fear, sorrow, questions or difficulties. Rather, it means that these experiences will not easily separate us from our trust in the Lord. A stable Christian may feel the pressure of a difficult season but continues to pray. Such a believer may experience disappointment but refuses to abandon God’s promises. Stability is not the absence of storms; it is the grace to remain anchored in Christ while the storms continue.

Paul tells the Colossian believers to walk in Christ just as they received Him. We began our Christian journey by trusting Jesus, and we must continue in that same dependence on Him. We cannot begin by faith and then rely entirely on human wisdom, personal strength or worldly approval to finish the journey. Every day, we need Christ’s guidance, His grace and the truth of His Word. The Christian life is not sustained by occasional enthusiasm alone but by a continuing relationship with the Saviour.

The apostle uses the picture of being rooted and built up in Christ. Roots are usually hidden beneath the ground, yet they provide the nourishment and support a tree needs. In the same way, our private relationship with God strengthens our public Christian life. Time spent in Scripture, sincere prayer, obedience, fellowship with other believers and a willingness to repent all contribute to spiritual stability. If we neglect these foundations, we may become vulnerable to every new teaching, popular opinion or disappointment that challenges our faith.

Paul also warns believers against being carried away by deceptive ideas that are not centred on Christ. This warning remains important today. We encounter many voices promising success, comfort, power and quick solutions to life’s problems. Some teachings appeal to our desires but weaken our dependence on God’s truth. A stable believer does not accept every message simply because it sounds impressive or is widely accepted. Instead, we examine what we hear in the light of Scripture and remain committed to the truth revealed in Jesus Christ.

Spiritual stability is also revealed in how we respond to changing circumstances. It is relatively easy to speak confidently when prayers are answered quickly, finances are comfortable and relationships are peaceful. The deeper test comes when the answer delays, resources become scarce, someone disappoints us or a door closes unexpectedly. During such times, we must remember that God’s faithfulness does not depend on our circumstances. We may not understand everything He permits, but we can continue to trust His character and seek His wisdom.

Being stable in Christ does not mean refusing correction or pretending that we have nothing left to learn. A firmly rooted believer remains teachable because spiritual maturity includes humility. When God’s Word exposes a wrong attitude, we should repent rather than defend ourselves. When wise counsel reveals a mistake, we should be willing to change. Stability is not stubbornness; it is a settled commitment to Christ that enables us to stand firm in truth while remaining humble enough to grow.

Paul concludes this passage by declaring that believers are complete in Christ, who is above every principality and power. Our deepest identity and spiritual sufficiency are found in Him, not in human applause, material possessions or social status. We do not need to chase every passing trend to prove our worth. As we grow in our knowledge of Christ, we learn to receive our identity from Him and to live faithfully in the responsibilities He has entrusted to us.

Today, ask yourself what is strengthening your faith. Are you rooted in God’s Word, or are you being carried about by every new opinion? Do you continue trusting Christ when life becomes difficult? Make a fresh commitment to prayer, Scripture and obedience. Do not wait until a storm arrives before you establish your spiritual foundations. Build your life on Christ daily, and when difficult seasons come, you will have a firm place to stand.

A stable Christian is not someone whose life never shakes, but someone who remains anchored in Jesus when everything around them is changing.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

The deeper your roots in Christ, the less likely the storms of life will move you away from Him.

PRAYER POINTS

Heavenly Father, I thank You for the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ and for Your faithfulness through every season of my life. Thank You for being my refuge and foundation.
Merciful Father, forgive me for the times I have allowed fear, doubt, worldly opinions or difficult circumstances to weaken my trust in You. Cleanse my heart and renew my commitment to Your Word.
Lord Jesus, root me deeply in You. Help me to grow in the knowledge of Your Word and remain steadfast in faith, whatever circumstances I encounter.
Holy Spirit, strengthen me during seasons of trials and uncertainty. Teach me to pray, wait patiently and trust God’s wisdom when I do not understand what is happening.
Father, protect me from deceptive teachings and influences that would draw my heart away from Christ. Give me discernment to recognise truth and courage to obey it.
Lord, develop humility, obedience and spiritual maturity in me. Help me to receive correction, learn from my mistakes and live consistently in a manner that honours You.
Faithful God, I thank You because my life is secure in Christ, who is my firm foundation and everlasting hope. Establish me in the faith, keep me faithful to the end and let my life bring glory to Your name, in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen.