- Quote:
Paul begins this chapter with talking about the faith and the effort Paul has poured into the church at Laodicea. He encourages them to become stronger with each other in love and to grow closer to Christ.
Christ is the Knowledge and understanding of God. He reveals things that we can't understand on our own. All Wisdom and Knowledge as verse 3 puts it. We can trust that the Lord Jesus will be able to take care of us because He knows everything, and what is best for us, even if we are not sure what to do, or thing that it is not the right thing (Proverbs 3:5-6).
The knowledge that Christ knows everything, and is looking out for our well being further develops our trust in Him and the assurance that people won't sway us when the give counter arguments.
- Quote:
8See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. 9For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. 11In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.
Just saying a prayer then living you life just as it was before hand, throwing in the "trying to do the right thing" just doesn't cut it with God. Like it says in verse 6, just as we received Christ, so also walk in Him. Being a Christian requires developing a relationship with Christ, seeking Him with all of our hearts as Jeremiah shows us (Jeremiah 29:13). We should walk in the Spirit of Christ, leaning on Him so that we can grow closer to Him and not sin (Galatians 5:16). That is what being firmly rooted in Christ means. To have that relationship, to be growing in Him and walking in the Spirit. We may not know all the answers, and mess up sin wise, yet if we have our foundation in Christ, we will be rooted in Him and able to stand up against trials and temptations.
It will also helps us to stand up against the idols and other though processes of this world. Christ is in the head of all things, the head of the body, church and spirit. Kings and Kingdoms bow down before the might of the Lord our God. and thanks be to God for giving us Christ. Being firmly rooted in Him will helps us to stay strong in the Lord and not get pulled away by this world. Jesus died on the Christ, taking away the very filth that God hated with a burning fire. Hated enough to send people that didn't honor Him to an eternity separated from Him and filled with pain and suffering. Isn't it awesome to know that Christ took that away, nailing it to a cross and setting us free? It is truly an amazing thing.
- Quote:
20If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations— 21 "Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch" 22( referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? 23These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.
When we become firmly rooted in Christ, we will be able to stand up for what we believe in, because it will be God guiding our actions. We won't have to worry about what other people thing of us, or what we do, but rather what God wants us to do and what God thinks of us. Let us hold fast to God as it tells us to do in verse 19. The world may think it knows what it is talking about. It may look good at the moment. There may be times when you think it is the best thing for you. However, if it isn't of Christ, then it will lead us down a path of unrighteousness. Christ is our all in all, and as long as we stay firmly rooted in Him and walk in the Spirit, we won't be lead astray be the things of this world that have no value
All in All, seeking Christ is the best thing for us. Being firmly rooted in the foundation of Christ and what He did for us will help us to live a life that honors Him and isn't lead by the things of this world. Jesus took the price for our sins, nailed them to a cross, to the penalty and died, so that we can live. Let us honor and respect that by living for Him, walking in the Spirit, and loving God with all our hearts, minds, souls and strengths.
