Rooted and Built in Him
Date: February 4, 2023
I use the BLESS method every morning for my devotional.
B - Bible Verse
L - Listen for God's Word and pray
E - Explore the History and meaning
S - Study and savor
S - Summarize and Share
You can read more about it by going to: What is a Faith Journal?
Bible Scripture Verse – Colossians 2:6-7
"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."
Listen for God’s Voice
Heavenly Father, help me to live my life in a way that honors Jesus, who I have received as my Lord. Give me a strong foundation in my faith and the courage to continue growing in my understanding of your truth. Fill me with gratitude for all that you have done for me. Amen.
Explore History – Who wrote it, when and to what audience? Key people in the story?
This verse was in a letter written by the apostle Paul. It is believed to have been written around AD 60-62 and addressed to the Christian community in Colossae, a city in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey).
In this chapter, Paul is addressing several false teachings that had infiltrated the Colossian church and encouraged the believers to continue growing in their faith, rooted in the knowledge of Christ. Colossians 2:6-7 was reminding the Christians in Colossae to continue to live their lives in Christ and to remain grounded in their faith.
The passage stresses the importance of having a deep, rooted faith in Jesus and not being swayed by false teachings. It also highlights the central role of Christ in the life of a believer and the importance of thankfulness in the Christian walk.
Study and Savor – Key Words
"received Christ Jesus as Lord" - accepting Jesus as the ultimate authority and ruler of one's life.
"live your lives in him" - making Jesus the center of one's life and living in a way that is consistent with His teachings and values.
"rooted and built up in him" - having a deep, foundational understanding of Jesus and growing in one's faith in Him.
"strengthened in the faith" - becoming more confident and established in one's belief in Jesus and His teachings.
"overflowing with thankfulness" - having a constant sense of gratitude and appreciation for the blessings and salvation that come through Jesus.
"as you were taught" - referring to the instruction and guidance that the Colossian Christians received from their spiritual leaders and the apostle Paul.
Summarize and Share
Colossians 2:6-7 reminds us of the importance of remaining rooted in our faith in Jesus and living our lives in a way that honors Him. As believers, it is crucial that we continue to grow in our understanding of who Jesus is and what He has done for us. This involves not only learning about Him but also putting our faith into practice through our actions and attitudes.
I can’t help but this of a tree that has to have deep roots to be strong and withstand the storms of life, so too must our faith in Jesus be grounded in a deep understanding of who He is and what He has done for us. By being rooted in Him, we are able to withstand the challenges and temptations that come our way. And, just as a tree continues to grow and flourish as it is rooted and built up, our faith will also grow and mature as we deepen our relationship with Jesus.
This verse also reminds us of the importance of being overflowing with thankfulness. When we take time to reflect on all that Jesus has done for us and are filled with gratitude for His sacrifice and love, our faith is strengthened and we are empowered to live a life that honors Him.
Take a minute today to reflect on our faith in Jesus and ask ourselves if we are rooted and built up in Him. Let’s make a commitment to grow in our understanding of who He is and what He has done for us, and to be overflowing with thankfulness. May our lives be a reflection of our deep and abiding faith in Jesus, and may we be strengthened in our walk with Him every day.
Bible Cross Reference
Ephesians 3:17 - "So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love." This verse highlights the idea of being rooted and established, which is also mentioned in Colossians 2:7. In both passages, the goal is to have a deep, grounding relationship with Jesus that enables us to live our lives in a way that honors Him.
Romans 11:20 - "Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith." This verse emphasizes the importance of having faith and not being swayed by unbelief, which can be seen as a parallel to Colossians 2:7's emphasis on being rooted and strengthened in the faith.
1 Corinthians 15:58 - "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." This verse emphasizes the importance of being steadfast and unmoveable, which can be seen as a parallel to Colossians 2:7's emphasis on being rooted and built up in Jesus.
Hebrews 10:22 - "Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water." This verse emphasizes the importance of having a true heart and full assurance of faith, which can be seen as a parallel to Colossians 2:7's emphasis on being rooted and strengthened in the faith. Both verses emphasize the importance of having a strong, genuine faith in Jesus.