A Stable Walk with God
Colossians 2:2-7
Study no. 3:
We are saved by faith, and we live by faith.
In our first session we talked about how to please God. We noted that Paul praises these believers for their Godly Christian stand which they have taken. But then he tells them how to continue and grow. We had in our last session a study which asked the question ... An easy life ... or a great one? Having been 'transported' or transplanted into God's kingdom ... we looked at the reality of what that really entails and how it affects us every day in our attitude and actions. Today we learn that God wants us to have a steady, stable walk with Him.
Leading up to that part of the study we will briefly look at the first 5 verses of Chapter 2.
Col 2:1-7
1 ¶ I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally.
Paul's first aim:
2 My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, (Then one can move on to: )
complete understanding, (complete understanding is having the full riches) in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ,
3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
4 ¶ I tell you this so that no-one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.
5 For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how orderly you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.
6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him,
7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
Here we find four pivotal phrases or words that are crucial to living a stable life in Christ.
Paul uses four familiar expressions in the next two verses that sum up what he would like to see happen in the lives of the believers in Colosse and in Laodicia. The expressions are: rooted, built up, strengthened, and overflowing (with thankfulness).
1. Rooted
If you have done any gardening with flowers and shrubs you know a little about 'rooted'. If you have ever seen a large healthy tree blown over by a fierce wind you may have seen a surprisingly massive root structure now in plain sight.
I believe what Paul would have us get from this word picture is that roots represent values and priorities. In a plant or a tree they represent that which will support what is above, will be the source of nourishment for that which is above and will represent the ongoing assurance of a 'future' for that which is above.
We have heard expressions similar to, “You can take the boy out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the boy”.
The 'country boy' lived there long enough to completely adopt the values of country life. The values he brought with him to the city might look very odd in comparison. It is possible he may be joked about and laughed at behind his back or even to his face, because of the beliefs that are part of his roots.
Our roots determine our values and priorities; therefore, to be rooted in Christ means that we allow him to determine our values and priorities.
If our roots are not in Christ, where are they? They are 'in the world', or in our own imagination, or in our own idea of success, or somewhere else ... but they are diverse from the values and priorities that are in Christ.
As believers we have been transplanted. It will take some time for the new roots to take hold in the new environment. We will have to unlearn some things that we have always believed in. It can be hard to admit that we have believed things to be true all our lives and now it begins to appear that we have been wrong from the beginning.
From a list of about 150 'values' that I found on the web I have listed just a few:
Competitiveness Creativity Patriotism
Helping Society Independence Teamwork
Fun Fairness Professionalism
Security Simplicity Determination
Making a difference
These 'values' are not what you might call 'stand alone' or 'absolute'. In other words, they can be very different when taught by the world rather than taught by Christ. I will comment on a few so that it can 'get us started' on being able to analyze any and all values that we have to see if they are Christian or worldly.
The first value that I want to analyze is:
Competitiveness: parents may urge their kids to be the best at whatever they attempt. They will start them off reading before they go to school. The same could apply to various skills that their child seems to display a propensity toward. Some kids have become musical protégés at 4 or 5 years old, to the great joy of their parents. A musical recital night takes place and the parent wants their child to be the best. Is there something wrong with that? There definitely is a worldly perspective on being the best. Often it includes silently hoping that a competitor will 'mess up' just a bit. How should this look biblically? For us competition should be against a standard ... not against a competitor. Paul said,
2Ti 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.
The goal should be first, to finish the course, second, to finish well. But not to finish on top of everyone else. So if you have had that 'drilled into your head' it may take a while to get it out. As Christians, in place of competition we must understand that God gets all the credit for who we are, what we look like, what we are able to do ... so that all boasting and pride melts away. Instead we 'rejoice with those who rejoice'. We inwardly ( maybe even outwardly) shout 'Yes!' when one of our brothers or sisters has a success.
A second value to look at:
Patriotism: This is more of an American emphasis than it is Canadian. This value is incredibly obvious in people south of the border. Do we come home from visiting there, wondering why we can't be more patriotic? Are we embarrassed when we hear an American child recite the name of all the past presidents and large portions of some famous political or patriotic speech or When we hear an American believer praying in church and thanking God for making them the best country in the whole world ... do we wish Canadian Christians would learn to pray like that?
What is the biblical perspective on the value called 'patriotism'?
Php 3:20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Heb 11:13 All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth.
Heb 11:16 But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.
The emphasis in scripture ... our new roots, is that this world is not our home. Heaven is the country that we have been adopted into. Our citizenship is there. Our patriotism must be there.
A third value we are looking at that can be either rooted in this world or it can be rooted in heaven:
Making a difference
The 'heart' of many individuals and groups is to make a real difference in the quality of life of people around us. That is why the 'Ronald McDonald' house exists. International Justice Mission fights for victims of sexual violence, forced labor, land seizures, illegal detention, and police abuse. First Response Team in America exits to be on site when a disaster hits a community. Unite for Sight: Jennifer Staple-Clark was a student at Yale University when she realized that 36 million people around the globe had gone blind needlessly, so in 2000 she founded Unite for Sight to do something about that. Safe Water Network is a service group founded by Paul Newman. To date, the organization has introduced safe water solutions into 63 villages in Ghana, India, and Kenya. Senior Sleuths: A recent study showed that about 1 in 5 people age 65 or older in the United States have been the victim of a financial scam. In 1989, to help combat the problem, Florida's then-Attorney General Bob Butterworth introduced Senior Sleuths. Today, over 200 volunteers work in 48 field offices statewide, taking victims' complaints.1
The list goes on.
“In Osoyoos and Oliver one of many programs making a huge difference in people’s lives is Better at Home, which helps seniors maintain their independence.2”
“Local services support patients with chronic diseases, mental health issues and homecare needs through physician referral. Interior Health nurses counsel patients one-to-one on medication, lifestyle and eating habits to support optimal health. Interior Health offers an exercise rehab program at the Sonora Centre. This program is designed to help patients recovering from stroke, heart attack or any other condition that has limited their activity.
Volunteer services such as Better at Home, Meals on Wheels, and Dinners at Home, the Soup Kitchen
and the local Food Bank fill in some of the gaps in community support. The United Way is an important funder of these volunteer services.”3
As a local public school bus driver I am one small 'cog' in the educational machinery which is put in place to take innocent young kids, and over time give them an education and hope for a successful future. They can leave school at grade 12, go on with their lives ... maybe to university ... maybe not and become entrenched in their beliefs. Beliefs like: 'This is as good as it gets', 'We need to make the best of things', 'Success depends on me'. ... God? Who is that? And many of these young kids end up .... eventually in hell. How did I have a part in making their life better? My 'roots' in God tell me that we are to lay up our treasures in heaven. Earth is temporary at best. We have not helped ANYONE by bettering their lives here ... but not warning them about the broad road that leads to destruction is to enable their belief that this temporary world is all there is.
Here is some perspective from the heart of Paul.
1Ti 4:8 For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.
(By 'godliness' is meant everything pertaining to God, His kingdom, salvation, holiness and eternity.)
Paul said that he did things that he did not want to do. He also said that he did not do ... what he wanted to do.4 He said the desire was there ... but the performing of it was not. The desire comes from roots. His 'roots' were fine. It was his 'plant growth' that concerned him.
Every time we acknowledge that Christ is our only hope of salvation, the roots grow deeper. Every time we open the Bible and allow God to speak to us through his Word, the roots grow deeper. Every time we ask for forgiveness, the roots grow deeper. Every time we yield ourselves completely to him, the roots grow deeper. Every time we allow the Bible to shape the way we think, the roots grow deeper.
2. Built up. Is the second pivotal phrase found in verse 7.
Following Paul's (the Holy Spirit's) word picture about 'roots' he now refers to the growth of the plant. Growing out of our NEW beliefs,out of our new ROOTS will be actions and evidences that will grow obvious to everyone.
Which of the following have caused you to 'grow' the most?
- Reading the Bible
- Praying
- Fellowship with other Christians
- Attending church
- Attending a Bible study
- Meeting with an accountability partner
The phrase 'built up' in Him, literally in the original Greek says; 'being built up in Him'. None of us can look at our selves and say ... I am built up in Him. It is a process. The plant continues to grow.
3. Strengthened is the third pivotal word from verse 7
Our roots go down into Christ and new attitudes are formed about life. The Christian perspective becomes our own perspective. From this we grow and our perspective of this new life becomes obvious to others. But the plant may be tender and a bit weak. It needs to be toughened and strengthened. This is where we begin to depend upon the indwelling presence of God's Spirit.
2Sa 22:32 "For who is God, except the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God?
33 God is my strength and power, And He makes my way perfect.
34 He makes my feet like the feet of deer, And sets me on my high places.
35 He teaches my hands to make war, So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
36 "You have also given me the shield of Your salvation; Your gentleness has made me great.
37 You enlarged my path under me; So my feet did not slip.
1Co 1:25-29
25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.
27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty;
28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are,
29 that no flesh should glory in His presence.
Is the 'strengthening' of God automatic? Something He just 'does' for His children? Almost, but no.
The key is in verse 6: As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,
Have you received Christ as Saviour? When? How? You received Him as Saviour the day that you realized your sin was against God and it had condemned you to hell.
You believed with all your heart that God sent His Son, Jesus to die for your sin. You called on Him for Salvation from hell and for eternal life with Him forever. You believed. Belief is identical with faith. As you received Christ (by faith) ... so walk in Him (by Faith). He is our strength. His strength is applied to you as you believe and trust in His power.
1Pe 4:11 If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
4. Overflowing in Thankfulness is the fourth pivotal phrase in verse 7.
Overflowing in thankfulness. For everything he has done for you ... rooted, built up, strengthened ... even though He isn't done yet. We can be thankful for things He has done in our lives. But we can also be thankful for what He has promised to do. We know He is 'good for it'.
Silently think about one area of your life you want changed. You have thought about it. It is based on the world's view. But you have grown up with it. It seems ingrained. Now you have compared it to God's perspective and it is so different. You want to grow in the new perspective. You want to be come strong in the new perspective. Tell Him about it. Ask for His help, His strength. Now thank God for what He is going to do. He is going to make your life strong and stable.
1http://www.usnews.com/news/slideshows/10-americans-making-a-difference/9
2http://www.osoyoostimes.com/better-home-program-making-big-difference-hundreds-seniors-osoyoos-oliver/
3http://www.oshlc.ca/files/6114/2549/6393/Osoyoos_2014_03_01_Final_Report_Healthy_Communites_Coalition.pdf
4Romans 7:15-24
Colossians 2:2-7
Study no. 3:
We are saved by faith, and we live by faith.
In our first session we talked about how to please God. We noted that Paul praises these believers for their Godly Christian stand which they have taken. But then he tells them how to continue and grow. We had in our last session a study which asked the question ... An easy life ... or a great one? Having been 'transported' or transplanted into God's kingdom ... we looked at the reality of what that really entails and how it affects us every day in our attitude and actions. Today we learn that God wants us to have a steady, stable walk with Him.
Leading up to that part of the study we will briefly look at the first 5 verses of Chapter 2.
Col 2:1-7
1 ¶ I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally.
Paul's first aim:
2 My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, (Then one can move on to: )
complete understanding, (complete understanding is having the full riches) in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ,
3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
4 ¶ I tell you this so that no-one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.
5 For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how orderly you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.
6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him,
7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
Here we find four pivotal phrases or words that are crucial to living a stable life in Christ.
Paul uses four familiar expressions in the next two verses that sum up what he would like to see happen in the lives of the believers in Colosse and in Laodicia. The expressions are: rooted, built up, strengthened, and overflowing (with thankfulness).
1. Rooted
If you have done any gardening with flowers and shrubs you know a little about 'rooted'. If you have ever seen a large healthy tree blown over by a fierce wind you may have seen a surprisingly massive root structure now in plain sight.
I believe what Paul would have us get from this word picture is that roots represent values and priorities. In a plant or a tree they represent that which will support what is above, will be the source of nourishment for that which is above and will represent the ongoing assurance of a 'future' for that which is above.
We have heard expressions similar to, “You can take the boy out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the boy”.
The 'country boy' lived there long enough to completely adopt the values of country life. The values he brought with him to the city might look very odd in comparison. It is possible he may be joked about and laughed at behind his back or even to his face, because of the beliefs that are part of his roots.
Our roots determine our values and priorities; therefore, to be rooted in Christ means that we allow him to determine our values and priorities.
If our roots are not in Christ, where are they? They are 'in the world', or in our own imagination, or in our own idea of success, or somewhere else ... but they are diverse from the values and priorities that are in Christ.
As believers we have been transplanted. It will take some time for the new roots to take hold in the new environment. We will have to unlearn some things that we have always believed in. It can be hard to admit that we have believed things to be true all our lives and now it begins to appear that we have been wrong from the beginning.
From a list of about 150 'values' that I found on the web I have listed just a few:
Competitiveness Creativity Patriotism
Helping Society Independence Teamwork
Fun Fairness Professionalism
Security Simplicity Determination
Making a difference
These 'values' are not what you might call 'stand alone' or 'absolute'. In other words, they can be very different when taught by the world rather than taught by Christ. I will comment on a few so that it can 'get us started' on being able to analyze any and all values that we have to see if they are Christian or worldly.
The first value that I want to analyze is:
Competitiveness: parents may urge their kids to be the best at whatever they attempt. They will start them off reading before they go to school. The same could apply to various skills that their child seems to display a propensity toward. Some kids have become musical protégés at 4 or 5 years old, to the great joy of their parents. A musical recital night takes place and the parent wants their child to be the best. Is there something wrong with that? There definitely is a worldly perspective on being the best. Often it includes silently hoping that a competitor will 'mess up' just a bit. How should this look biblically? For us competition should be against a standard ... not against a competitor. Paul said,
2Ti 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.
The goal should be first, to finish the course, second, to finish well. But not to finish on top of everyone else. So if you have had that 'drilled into your head' it may take a while to get it out. As Christians, in place of competition we must understand that God gets all the credit for who we are, what we look like, what we are able to do ... so that all boasting and pride melts away. Instead we 'rejoice with those who rejoice'. We inwardly ( maybe even outwardly) shout 'Yes!' when one of our brothers or sisters has a success.
A second value to look at:
Patriotism: This is more of an American emphasis than it is Canadian. This value is incredibly obvious in people south of the border. Do we come home from visiting there, wondering why we can't be more patriotic? Are we embarrassed when we hear an American child recite the name of all the past presidents and large portions of some famous political or patriotic speech or When we hear an American believer praying in church and thanking God for making them the best country in the whole world ... do we wish Canadian Christians would learn to pray like that?
What is the biblical perspective on the value called 'patriotism'?
Php 3:20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Heb 11:13 All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth.
Heb 11:16 But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.
The emphasis in scripture ... our new roots, is that this world is not our home. Heaven is the country that we have been adopted into. Our citizenship is there. Our patriotism must be there.
A third value we are looking at that can be either rooted in this world or it can be rooted in heaven:
Making a difference
The 'heart' of many individuals and groups is to make a real difference in the quality of life of people around us. That is why the 'Ronald McDonald' house exists. International Justice Mission fights for victims of sexual violence, forced labor, land seizures, illegal detention, and police abuse. First Response Team in America exits to be on site when a disaster hits a community. Unite for Sight: Jennifer Staple-Clark was a student at Yale University when she realized that 36 million people around the globe had gone blind needlessly, so in 2000 she founded Unite for Sight to do something about that. Safe Water Network is a service group founded by Paul Newman. To date, the organization has introduced safe water solutions into 63 villages in Ghana, India, and Kenya. Senior Sleuths: A recent study showed that about 1 in 5 people age 65 or older in the United States have been the victim of a financial scam. In 1989, to help combat the problem, Florida's then-Attorney General Bob Butterworth introduced Senior Sleuths. Today, over 200 volunteers work in 48 field offices statewide, taking victims' complaints.1
The list goes on.
“In Osoyoos and Oliver one of many programs making a huge difference in people’s lives is Better at Home, which helps seniors maintain their independence.2”
“Local services support patients with chronic diseases, mental health issues and homecare needs through physician referral. Interior Health nurses counsel patients one-to-one on medication, lifestyle and eating habits to support optimal health. Interior Health offers an exercise rehab program at the Sonora Centre. This program is designed to help patients recovering from stroke, heart attack or any other condition that has limited their activity.
Volunteer services such as Better at Home, Meals on Wheels, and Dinners at Home, the Soup Kitchen
and the local Food Bank fill in some of the gaps in community support. The United Way is an important funder of these volunteer services.”3
As a local public school bus driver I am one small 'cog' in the educational machinery which is put in place to take innocent young kids, and over time give them an education and hope for a successful future. They can leave school at grade 12, go on with their lives ... maybe to university ... maybe not and become entrenched in their beliefs. Beliefs like: 'This is as good as it gets', 'We need to make the best of things', 'Success depends on me'. ... God? Who is that? And many of these young kids end up .... eventually in hell. How did I have a part in making their life better? My 'roots' in God tell me that we are to lay up our treasures in heaven. Earth is temporary at best. We have not helped ANYONE by bettering their lives here ... but not warning them about the broad road that leads to destruction is to enable their belief that this temporary world is all there is.
Here is some perspective from the heart of Paul.
1Ti 4:8 For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.
(By 'godliness' is meant everything pertaining to God, His kingdom, salvation, holiness and eternity.)
Paul said that he did things that he did not want to do. He also said that he did not do ... what he wanted to do.4 He said the desire was there ... but the performing of it was not. The desire comes from roots. His 'roots' were fine. It was his 'plant growth' that concerned him.
Every time we acknowledge that Christ is our only hope of salvation, the roots grow deeper. Every time we open the Bible and allow God to speak to us through his Word, the roots grow deeper. Every time we ask for forgiveness, the roots grow deeper. Every time we yield ourselves completely to him, the roots grow deeper. Every time we allow the Bible to shape the way we think, the roots grow deeper.
2. Built up. Is the second pivotal phrase found in verse 7.
Following Paul's (the Holy Spirit's) word picture about 'roots' he now refers to the growth of the plant. Growing out of our NEW beliefs,out of our new ROOTS will be actions and evidences that will grow obvious to everyone.
Which of the following have caused you to 'grow' the most?
- Reading the Bible
- Praying
- Fellowship with other Christians
- Attending church
- Attending a Bible study
- Meeting with an accountability partner
The phrase 'built up' in Him, literally in the original Greek says; 'being built up in Him'. None of us can look at our selves and say ... I am built up in Him. It is a process. The plant continues to grow.
3. Strengthened is the third pivotal word from verse 7
Our roots go down into Christ and new attitudes are formed about life. The Christian perspective becomes our own perspective. From this we grow and our perspective of this new life becomes obvious to others. But the plant may be tender and a bit weak. It needs to be toughened and strengthened. This is where we begin to depend upon the indwelling presence of God's Spirit.
2Sa 22:32 "For who is God, except the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God?
33 God is my strength and power, And He makes my way perfect.
34 He makes my feet like the feet of deer, And sets me on my high places.
35 He teaches my hands to make war, So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
36 "You have also given me the shield of Your salvation; Your gentleness has made me great.
37 You enlarged my path under me; So my feet did not slip.
1Co 1:25-29
25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.
27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty;
28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are,
29 that no flesh should glory in His presence.
Is the 'strengthening' of God automatic? Something He just 'does' for His children? Almost, but no.
The key is in verse 6: As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,
Have you received Christ as Saviour? When? How? You received Him as Saviour the day that you realized your sin was against God and it had condemned you to hell.
You believed with all your heart that God sent His Son, Jesus to die for your sin. You called on Him for Salvation from hell and for eternal life with Him forever. You believed. Belief is identical with faith. As you received Christ (by faith) ... so walk in Him (by Faith). He is our strength. His strength is applied to you as you believe and trust in His power.
1Pe 4:11 If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
4. Overflowing in Thankfulness is the fourth pivotal phrase in verse 7.
Overflowing in thankfulness. For everything he has done for you ... rooted, built up, strengthened ... even though He isn't done yet. We can be thankful for things He has done in our lives. But we can also be thankful for what He has promised to do. We know He is 'good for it'.
Silently think about one area of your life you want changed. You have thought about it. It is based on the world's view. But you have grown up with it. It seems ingrained. Now you have compared it to God's perspective and it is so different. You want to grow in the new perspective. You want to be come strong in the new perspective. Tell Him about it. Ask for His help, His strength. Now thank God for what He is going to do. He is going to make your life strong and stable.
1http://www.usnews.com/news/slideshows/10-americans-making-a-difference/9
2http://www.osoyoostimes.com/better-home-program-making-big-difference-hundreds-seniors-osoyoos-oliver/
3http://www.oshlc.ca/files/6114/2549/6393/Osoyoos_2014_03_01_Final_Report_Healthy_Communites_Coalition.pdf
4Romans 7:15-24