STRONG IN HIM
Colossians 2:6-7 NKJ
6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.
Reading Colossians again, I am amazed at the depth of this book. I will read a passage and then think, "Am I seeing this? Do I understand this? But I don't stay questioning. There are some things I have learned that help me when reading scripture.
One, the Holy Spirit will help me understand. He is the teacher who inspired the scriptures, and no one knows a writing like the author. I may not get everything at once, but as I stay with it, understanding grows. Remember, the Bible is a spiritual book full of God's inspired words. We can plan on continual learning throughout the ages.
Two, I focus on what I do understand and don't get bogged down in what I don't. Typically, what I do understand is totally sufficient to keep me occupied.
In our passage for today, we see that being in Christ is the best place to be. We received Christ Jesus the Lord by faith. And now we live our lives connected to Him by faith. Rooted and built up in Him. I have come to understand that we are going to be rooted in something. People are rooted in politics, that is the strongest place of their identity. Or it could be race, geographic region, particular hobbies, or interests. As a pastor, I could be rooted in my role as a pastor. But that's not the best place for me to identify. I want to be rooted in my union with Christ Jesus. More than being rooted in America or even Texas, I am rooted in Him. I love my country, and I love Texas, but the strongest, most eternal identity is in Christ. That identity will last long after the world, as we know it, is totally changed.
My identity is in Christ; I am rooted in Him, and I am built up in Him. This means I place an emphasis on not just my connection to Christ, but the strength that comes from that connection. Paul wrote to the Ephesian church and told them to be strong in the Lord. That's the source of real stability and strength. And all that is a function of faith. Established in what God has said, as opposed to my feelings or background, or current situation. Established in what I believe.
The best way to tell what I believe is what I am giving thanks for. If I believe something good, I am thankful. If you told me you were going to give me a basket of fresh fruit and vegetables from your garden, I am talking corn, tomatoes, watermelon, not onions, and I believe you; I am going to thank you ahead of time. You would be offended if I looked at you and told you that when you give me the basket, I will thank you. No, if I believe you are telling me the truth, I thank you before I ever see the basket. This is a simplified way of what being established in the faith abounding or overflowing with thanksgiving looks like. We are thanking God for what He has done and what He says about us without having to have any corresponding feelings or vibes or seeing. Before we see or feel we give thanks.
APPLICATION
I encourage people to have some verses that they speak about their lives, verses such as the two we looked at today. And personalize the verses. Lord Jesus, I have received You, and I live connected to You. I am rooted in You, I identify with You, and I am becoming strong in You and the power of Your might. Thank you for what You have done in me. Thank You for your involvement in my life. I believe and I am grateful.
This is an example of taking verses and making them a part of your life. You can make these verses personal to you in your own way. Paul had a revelation: the strongest, most stable, and best place to be is rooted and built up in Christ.