“ROOTED AND BUILT UP IN HIM” Thoughts from today’s Bible readings – Nov. 14th
Our Colossians’ chapter (2) contains some inspiringly positive points from Paul – we need to fully absorb these to spur us on – into becoming more and more like Christ.
Paul tells them that although he is not with them physically, “I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith …” [v.5] This “firmness” is because they have been “rooted and built up in him and established in the faith …” [v. 7]
How vital it is to develop strong spiritual roots – the most essential part of doing this is to read God’s word every day – and not just read – but to absorb its’ ‘spiritual nutrients’ into our thought processes. How heart provokingly meaningful are the words of Isaiah, “The Lord GOD has given me the tongue of those who are taught … Morning by morning he awakens; he awakens my ear to hear… ” [50 v.4] God’s ‘spiritual nutrients’ are absorbed most efficiently at the start of the day. It is good to leave the Bible open at an appropriate passage – so that at the very least – we exercise our minds spiritually, however briefly, as soon as we wake up.
All around us the world ‘feeds’ on non-nutritious material, indeed so much of the ‘food’ for human minds, is absolute chaff: ponder Luke 3 v.17. Its’ destructive effect on human thinking and actions in more evident and extreme than ever. What is also evident is that there is fear of the future: our planet is over-burdened population wise – and is becoming over heated. We think of the forecast of Jesus that “there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves …” [Luke 21 v.25]
It is increasing vital that we are “rooted and built up in him” – especially as those who read their Bibles and see God’s plan and purpose, know that before his kingdom is established – our world will experience “distress” and “perplexity.” The words he gave to the prophet Zephaniah are utterly awesome! “The sound of the day of the LORD is bitter; the mighty man cries aloud … a day of distress and anguish … I will bring distress on mankind, so that they shall walk like the blind, because they have sinned against the LORD” [1 v.14,15,17]
Parallel this with the words of Jesus – in which and in whom we must be “rooted and built up” – so as to endure this time of blindness and “distress”. In Matt. 24 v.21 we read how Jesus forecast , “there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be” again.
The roots we have developed from God’s word – will be fully tested! Have we truly absorbed them to the full to gain the essential spiritual nutrients they alone provide?
