Rooted And Established (Part One)

Trees are pretty interesting things. They provide a lot of things for us, from oxygen to fruit to shelter to wood to paper—trees are a pretty significant part of how we live and move in the world. When we see a tree however, we only see a part of it. We see the trunk and braches and leaves, but in many ways those are not the most important part. The most important part is the root system. In fact, for a regular tree to be healthy, the roots need to extend at least as far as the canopy of the tree! A tree that has a deficient root ball will not be strong or healthy and will not be able to withstand winds or storms. The root system is the key to the health, strength, and stability of that tree.

Perhaps that is why the psalmist wrote of the “blessed” man or woman:

“He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers.” (Psalm 1:3)

“Firmly planted” speaks of the necessity of that healthy root system! The leaves and the fruit are dependent upon that tree being firmly planted where it can grow and gain nourishment.

What is true of the tree is true of the blessed person—the question is, where does that come from? How does it happen?

To consider that, we need to turn to Colossians, as Paul is instructing them on what it means to be the people of God and the body of Christ. To them, he said:

Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude. (Col.2:6-7)

Let’s take the next couple of days to unpack that and see where it leads. It begins with…

The Relationship (v.6a)

Notice that Paul gives us a prerequisite for this rooted sand established life—and it is the prerequisite of a true, living relationship with the Savior.

“As you have received Christ…”

This is, of course, critical. We receive Christ—we do  not received creeds or doctrinal statements or theological positions. We received the person of the Son of God. Automatically, this makes our Christian experience both personal and interpersonal.

Without Christ, there is no real substance to our lives. But how (“as you received…”) did we receive Him? Recognizing our need, placing our trust and confidence in Him, and seeing Him as our Source and Resource. That is how we received Him—and that is how we move deeper in our relationship with Him. It is utterly and completely dependent upon Him.

Tomorrow we will see what is built on the foundation of that relationship with Christ.