Rooted And Established (Part Three)

This week we are examining Colossians 2:6-7 as a pattern for building followers of Christ who are strong and stable—like trees planted by the waters. Monday we saw that this kind of life begins with relationship with God through Christ, and yesterday saw that such a life produces a meaningful walk with Him. Today we see two final keys to a life that is rooted and established in Him.

The Foundation (v.7a)

This kind of a walk/lifestyle, however, does not exist n a vacuum. It requires that we be deeply rooted like the healthy tree of Psalm 1. How does that happen? By being established in three vital ways:

1) “In Him”- “firmly rooted and now being built up” This speaks, I think, of the depth and quality of our personal relationship with Him, for we continue as we began—in Him. “Christians are not to be tumbleweeds that have no roots and are blown about by “every wind of doctrine” (Eph. 4:14). Nor are they to be “transplants” that are repeatedly moved from soil to soil. Once we are rooted by faith in Christ, there is no need to change the soil! The roots draw up the nourishment so that the tree can grow. The roots also give strength and stability.” (Bible Exposition Comm.)

2) “In your faith”- Established. Our foundation is in Him and in what His Word gives us, for not only are we like trees, we are also like buildings under construction… and it is still all about the foundation laid. “When we trust Christ to save us, we are put on the foundation; from then on, we grow in grace. The word edify that is found often in Paul’s letters simply means “to build up.” To make spiritual progress means to keep adding to the temple to the glory of God. (BExC)

3) “just as you were instructed”- Remember back to Psalm 1. The reason the blessed person is like the tree is because its roots go deep. The parallel for God’s child (Ps.1:2) is that we are to be those who meditate on His Law (Word) day and night. We are constantly and continuously feeding our souls with the Word of God.

Paul has moved from the imagery of walking to the analogy of a tree to the concept of a building—but the issue is unchanged. Our living must be rooted and established in Christ if it is to be effective.

The Heart (v.7b)

“Overflowing with gratitude…”

Finally, our effectiveness in living for Him and in a way representative of Him is that we recognize that all we have and all we are is by His grace and from Him… a grateful heart is a wonderful expression of the realization that we know that “naught do we have but what we received…”

We are saved by Him, rooted in Him, drawing all our sustenance for life from Him—all the blessings of life call us to be thankful to Him!