The Continuum: Rooted, Built Up & StrengthenedSample

DAY 3 – CONTINUE TO BE ROOTED

Colossians 2:6-7, "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."

The deity of Jesus was coming into question. Did he resurrect from the dead and ascend into heaven? Even today, this truth is being challenged and toyed with. In verse 3, Paul is reminding his readers that all the hidden treasures of wisdom and knowledge are found in Christ alone. They are priceless but can found in Jesus only if we seek after Him.

Let us remind ourselves of our glorious Savior who did a finished work and made a public spectacle of Satan and all his schemes when he triumphed over him on the Cross. (verse 15). The devil thought sending Jesus was the greatest trick and his ace card. What he did not know was that he played into the very plan of God that sealed his fate forever.

Let us remind ourselves that the life we now live is not to be lived by a set of rules. We live this life because we have a relationship that is sustained by deep communion and staying firmly rooted in Jesus (verse 22-23).

Verse 6b, "continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him."

In my years of being a Christ-follower one thing I have seen, and now with ever-increasing measure, sadly, is that people often start well but do not continue with increasing fervor. Some tragically lose their way, floundering amidst the cares and worries of this world.

So the encouragement to ‘continue' is not without cause. To continue is an important motif in the New Testament and should be in our lives too. This is said in many different ways in the Bible.

Here are some: persevere in the faith, fight the good fight of faith, press on toward the goal, run the race with perseverance, run the race marked out for us, he who perseveres will be given the crown of life, do not grow weary in doing good and many, many more such exhortations.

This is not a call to continue to exist. There is a manner in which I am to continue. Paul goes on to tell us how. 

Paul uses three metaphors: walk or live, rooted and built up.

As I reflected on the word ROOTED, I thought it is good to pause and ask some questions. Is, my life built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness? I have salvation here and here alone. He is my Rock and the source of my life. He is my cornerstone. This means I am not relying on my strength, independence etc.

Why are roots important? 

It is the life source for the whole plant. Whatever soil the roots of my heart are planted in will nourish me and determine how healthy the plant will be, and what kind of fruit I will produce.

So, where do I get my values from? What is influencing my life and my character formation? Is it the soil of the world or is it Christ? What my mind feeds on will affect thought patterns, my emotions and my behavior.

What soil my roots are in will affect what is” built up.” I can wipe, clean, and polish the leaves all I want but if the roots are rotting, have poor nutrition or are in a toxic environment, the rot is going to show up eventually, and destroy the plant as well. The plant will grow, but not as a healthy one and eventually, the leaves and fruit will wither away.

Therefore, what do I learn from this morning’s reflections? No matter how old or young a Christ follower I am, I need to continue to be rooted in Christ which is the richest and best place to have my life planted in. John 15 is full of repeated reminders to remain in Jesus so that we will bear fruit that will last.

REFLECT AND ASK YOURSELF

Pray for yourself that you will continue on this continuum of life with steadfastness, growing from strength to strength being built up in Christ. 

REFERENCES 

Col 2:15, Heb 12:1, 2 Tim 4:7, Phil 3:14