6/21/12- Firmly Fixed

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

Thoughts: There are three great images of the Christian life that are especially apt for today.  Those who believe in Christ- who have received Him are to continue to live in Him.  The word in the NIV "continue to live" literally is "continue to walk" (peripeteite in Greek).  Paul is saying that we have begun this journey- and we need to continue to walk on it.  Pilgrim's Progress comes to mind- we do not stop to wallow in self-indulgent pleasures, but we stay focused on our destination.
   The second image is that we are rooted (errizomenoi in Greek) in Him- like a tree whose roots sink down into the ground for nourishment.  It is a similar image to John 15 when Jesus speaks of "abiding" in Him.  We are to sink our roots deep into Christ both for stability when the winds of trouble blow and for nourishment to keep growing- turning into the person God has designed us to be.  We are to remember our roots and not try to separate ourselves from them, rather continuing to let our roots sink deep into Him. 
     The third image is being "built up" in Him.  Some think this refers to a building- that we are to build on the foundation of Christ (Thayer, Barclay).  I believe it refers to the same image- of a tree.  Our roots sink down into Him, we are to continue to live in Him, and we are to grow- to be built up as a tree grows and becomes an abiding place- providing shade and comfort.  This being "built up"- shows strength and overflows into the fruitfulness of a thankful and healthy life.
     Paul was encouraging the Colossians to continue to remain in Christ and not be drawn aside by the worldliness of immorality or the deceptiveness of skeptical wise-men/philosophers.  This is a word for us today in which so many are tempted to fall into immorality or the nothingness and meaninglessness of unbelief.  We are, with all our might, to focus on what strengthens us and helps us to bear fruit.  We are to sink our roots deep into Him- by prayer, scripture, worship, fellowship, communion, serving others in His name, witnessing for Him out of thankfulness anything that would help us remain in Him.



Prayer: Help me sink my soul deep into your love, O Christ.  Give me grace to be rooted and growing in you.  Help my life to overflow with thankfulness to you.