Rooted, built up, established

Colossians 2:6-7
6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

The “growing and bearing fruit” metaphor returns!  (See 1:6, 10.)  Now, we understand where our growth comes from—Jesus Christ.  Obviously.  It’s necessary to be “rooted” in the good soil of Christ, to draw our nourishment from him, and to anchor ourselves in him.  It is in him that we are to be built up.  If we rely on the knowledge and wisdom of the world (see v. 8), we will not remain healthy in our walk for long—we will not be “established in the faith” as we were first taught (v. 7).  But if we rest in the knowledge of Christ, we will abound in thanksgiving.

This passage made me stop to consider how often thanksgiving is mentioned in Colossians.  (Several times in a such a short book.)  Our gratitude to God flows from a strong and steady walk which requires the nourishment of Christ.  I need to thank God more for how he’s blessed me—adopted me as his son, delivered me from sin and its power, accounted the righteousness of Christ to me, made me a part of his kingdom, brought friends and mentors into my life, and used me to point others toward his glory.  What a great God we serve!