Being Rooted in Christ
4 I am saying this so that no one will deceive you with arguments that sound reasonable. 5 For I may be absent in body, but I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see how well ordered you are and the strength of your faith in Christ. 6 So then, just as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to walk in him, 7 being rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, and overflowing with gratitude. (Colossians 2:4-7)
Continuing the theme established yesterday of having a strong foundation, Paul gives the reasoning why he is sharing this wisdom, “so that no one will deceive you with arguments that sound reasonable.” The false teachers were very deceptive with their words that sounded knowledgeable and enticing, but in reality, were empty lies.
To the credit of the believers in Colossae, in verse 5, Paul, although “absent in body,” is presently praying for them, “with you in spirit, rejoicing to see how well ordered you are and the strength of your faith in Christ.” The imagery used by Paul here is one of a strong line of soldiers who are organized and steadfast, all grounded in Jesus Christ.
In order to continue to be strong in the faith and fight off the deception and temptation of the false teachers, Paul tells the believers in verse 6 to “continue to walk in Him.” If you do not exercise all your different muscle groups, those areas will atrophy and become weaker, and you can be susceptible to injury. In the same manner, Paul is challenging the believers to continue to grow in their relationship with Christ; they cannot become stagnant. As Max Anders stated, “Step by step, day by day, we are to conduct our affairs in conscious submission to the lordship of Jesus Christ. Life is a journey, and we are not expected to sprint through it. We are just to make steady progress.”
Part of that growth process is “being rooted and built up in Him,” meaning to hold fast to Jesus Christ as the main source of life and growth. They are to also be “established in the faith, just as you were taught.” The false teachers claimed to have secret knowledge that only they could share. But Paul teaches that the believers already know the truth of salvation and source of strength, Jesus Christ. Finally, the believers are to be “overflowing with gratitude.” Christ’s saving work on the cross should bring about a sense of overwhelming thankfulness for what He had done for us, while we actively sinning and rebelling against Him. With this mindset, the believers will not be easily swayed away from their Lord and Savior.
Blessings,
Isaac De Guzman
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