Uprooted Roots

Colossians 2-Part 2
As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
Colossians 2:6-7


LET IT GLOW

Verse 5 says, "For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ."

I remember the old saying,"I'll be with you in spirit." It meant that a person may not be present physically, but they would be thinking of this one. Paul was obviously not with the Colossians because he was under house arest in Rome, but his thoughts were upon the church. That's why he was writing this letter.
Paul is rejoicing to see their "good discipline and stability of their faith in Christ." NAS says it that way.

Stedfastness, in Greek, means the firm (or solid) foundation. What's the basic foundation of the church? It is faith in Christ. Stereoma is the Greek word which is a military term meaning solidity. Every man was in his place. There was a solid front.

Paul is rejoicing the the belivers' order, which is their orderly walk and conversation. The Greek word taxis,
for order, indicates an orderly array of disciplined soldiers. The Colossians' ranks had not been broken yet; but the Gnostics were attacking, and Paul was concerned for them.( Liberty Bible Commentary)


LET IT GROW

Four years ago we had a "straight high wind," the official description, come over our farm. We considered it a tornado.Anyway, we were gone at the time of this occurance, visiting our daughter's family in Rhode Island, so we didn't actually see it. However, we saw the evidence. Our barn and old chicken houses were brought down. Huge old oak trees were uprooted and lying over. Tin from the roofs was scattered in the fields.  I had never seen how montrous roots can be. Yet their strength could not match the power of God.
(By the way, I am grateful that our house is still standing. God's protective hand was upon it.) More trees were left standing than uprooted. Faith can be like these trees-deep and strong in Jesus or shallow and weak. Which describes my faith? Do the storms of life topel me over or do I stand firm?

In our key verses, Paul tells the Colossians to walk in Christ Jesus the Lord. What is the Christian walk to be like?
* live accordingly and keep on walking,
* rooted in communion with Christ, (See Ephesians 3:17) firmly anchored in Him,
* built up, which is a continual process,
* stablished in faith, which is firm, stable,
* abounding, filled,  with thanksgiving.
Does my walk match my talk?


LET IT GO

Keep my faith in Christ.

Be rooted and grounded in the Word.

In everything give thanks.