ROOTED IN CHRIST

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In Christ, Mark

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The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

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.

Colossians 2:6-7

This ends this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

When we choose to believe in Jesus, we become a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). This is a truth reinforced by the scriptures, one also embedded in the symbology found in sacrament of a Christian baptism. There, the new Christian believer goes under the water which represents their old self before Jesus, a self they wish to put to death, and then as they rise up from the water, they are fresh and cleansed, ready to start their new life in Christ.

Now there are lots of ways to consider how new life begins. One of them is thinking about a tree.

When a tree is a mere little sapling, its life is just beginning. The fragile, vulnerable baby tree needs fertile soil to take root in so it will have the chance to grow up and be strong and mighty. And of interest, the tree only becomes strong above the surface because the roots have become strongly anchored beneath the ground in a place unseen by the human eye.

Let’s take this analogy and apply it to the new Christian. Like the baby sapling, they need fertile, spiritual “soil” to take root in. Jesus spoke on this through the Parable of the Sower:

“A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”  

“Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” Matthew 13:3-8, 18-23

Quoting from the Book of Deuteronomy, Jesus also said this as he was confronted by Satan in Matthew, chapter 4:

“Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” v. 4

Knowledge and understanding of the scriptures is key to being rooted in Christ for it’s in the Bible, and specifically the Gospels, that we read about the life and teaching of Jesus. It’s critical for all new Christians (as well as experienced ones) to be in the Word of God daily, especially reading about Jesus while committed to conform their lives to His.

This was what the Apostle Paul urged the Colossian Christians to do as we look at our passage today from the second chapter of his letter to the believers in Colossae. Look again at his words here:

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. Vv. 6-7

When we dedicate ourselves to the reading and study of the scriptures, striving to live our lives in Christ and strengthen our roots in Him, then our faith will be strengthened and we will find ourselves overflowing with thanksgiving as we fully understand and acknowledge all that God did for us out of love through His Son who grants us the gift of salvation.

In the end translation, full time devotion to Jesus is what helps a baby Christian believer to quickly grow strong roots in Him as He develops them to be future strong Gospel servants like the Apostle Paul.

Thanks be to God for the indescribable blessing of His Son and our Savior Jesus! 2 Corinthians 9:15

Amen.

In Christ,

Mark

PS: Feel free to leave a comment and please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it. Send any prayer requests to Gods4all@aol.com