Rooted in HIM

REVELATIONS FOR TODAY by Pastor Michael Obata

Colossians 2:6-8 – New International Version (NIV)

⁶ Your So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, ⁷ rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. ⁸ See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.

In Christ Jesus, we are a new creation – born again, now created in the express image of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). Though we still have the same physical body and a personality that has been shaped over time by our upbringing and life experience. Our spirit, which is the real us, is now one with the SPIRIT of GOD that makes us a new creation – BORN AGAIN. It is no longer us that live, but Christ now lives in us, and the life we now live must be by faith in Christ Jesus. We must therefore unlearn everything contradictory to our faith and offer ourselves to the LORD. That is, seek first the kingdom of GOD and HIS righteousness. That is true worship. Although we physically live in this world, we are no longer of this world. Being rooted in Christ Jesus makes us prosper and have good success, and to be everything that our Heavenly FATHER has already prepared for us to be, even before the foundations of this world.

We live in a world where we are constantly bombarded with knowledge, ideas and philosophies that contradict our Christian faith. We live in a world where the expectations of society may seem logical, but are far from the expectations of our HEAVENLY FATHER. In a world overflowing with ideologies, self-help systems, and competing spiritual claims, the Christian is called to measure everything against the scriptures and the teachings of the Christian faith. Now that CHRIST JESUS has saved us, let us therefore be rooted in HIM. Only then do we reap the benefits of salvation not only in eternity but here on earth. For being rooted in Christ Jesus is making HIM your LORD, not just your SAVIOUR through redemption from HIS sacrifice on the cross. These ideologies or philosophies of this world may seem sound morally or by natural sense. However, we as children of GOD are not to judge or make decisions with our physical senses but to be spiritually discerning through the gift of the HOLY SPIRIT in us and with us.

The theme verses encourage believers to remain rooted in Christ, discerning truth from error, and avoiding the subtle captivity of Satan’s scheme through the ideas, policies and philosophies that offer promises but lack the substance and truth of GOD’s wisdom. Let us therefore gain knowledge through the Gospel of Jesus Christ and fellowship with the HOLY SPIRIT through continued study of the WORD and prayer. That way, we increase in knowledge of Christ and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we start to experience GOD’s power at work in us. For with the WORD of GOD in our spirit and our lips we frame the course of our lives in line with GOD’s will and purpose, bearing good fruits worthy of HIS kingdom (Hebrews 11:3).

Scripture meditation

2 Peter 1:2-3; 1 John 4:1, Romans 12:1-3, Proverbs 4:20-24, 11:9, 2 Corinthians 11:3-4 & Hosea 4:6.

Prayer

Glorious FATHER, I thank You for the new life in CHRIST JESUS. I receive the Grace and the anointing of Your SPIRIT to be deeply rooted in CHRIST that shall make me discern and live a life here on earth worthy of Your Glory. In JESUS’ NAME. Amen!

Confession

I am born of GOD, and I am deeply rooted in Christ, and I have overcome the negativity of this world!