Do you know how to avoid deception and stay connected securely to Christ? This message reveals what we can do to remain rooted in Christ and why it’s so important. As believers we need to know the truth so well that when we are faced with false teaching, we turn away from it immediately. If we are cut off from the source of life, Jesus, we will wither and die. But if we’re connected to God, we’ll be fruitful.

What choices are you making this year? Will you choose to live God’s best for you, no matter the circumstances? This series explores what it means to live in Christ, why it's important and how to do it. When you believe, trust, and seek the Lord with all your heart, you will be able to look back and see God accomplishing his will in your life and the lives of others. Make Jesus first in your life and allow the Holy Spirit to guide you in paths of righteousness.

Live rooted in the Lord Jesus

Grow In Wisdom and Spiritual Understanding

We have seen that living in Christ in a fallen world is not easy. The last message challenged us to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord. Each week I said that there is a choice we need to make: live according to the world and worldly philosophy, live in rebellion to the knowledge of God; or choose to believe and walk in faith in Christ and obedient to the will of God.

The temptation to compromise, or follow false teaching, worldly philosophy, is something believers will face daily. Each person must decide for themselves what they believe and how they will live.

Choose to live in Christ and for Christ. Choose to live in Christ in the city, state or nation where you live. Choose to live your life in a manner worthy of the Lord.

Let’s be honest, none of us are perfect, we will all make poor decisions at times. The most important point to remember is God loves you and that his grace is sufficient. Also understand his grace comes before you have true peace in your heart and peace with God. All you need to do is have faith in Jesus and ask the Lord to forgive you, turn away from the direction you were headed before knowing Jesus as your savior and turn to Jesus. Allow the love and grace of God to fill your heart and experience the true peace of God. Seek the spiritual wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives. Wisdom in how to live and the understanding to make decisions you need to make each day.

Make the decision to live in Christ each day. Choose to grow in the Word. Grow in obedience. Grow in wisdom and spiritual understanding and, as you do, you will live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way.

What’s The Best Way to Avoid Deception?

We can read how the apostle Paul prays for the believers who are at Colossae. This prayer was not limited for the Colossians alone, it is for all believers in Christ everywhere and for us today. Understand the gospel message is timeless and good for every generation. Paul encouraged the believers to live in such a way that they live a life worthy of the Lord.

In Colossians 2:6-10 we read that the believer is to live rooted and built up in Christ. We also read that we should not become deceived. That in Christ are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Paul desired that the believer be encouraged in heart and have complete spiritual understanding so they would live in Christ and for Christ.

“My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, 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 disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is" (Colossians 2:2-5, NIV).

Paul was warning the believers of worldly teaching that was being taught by some. Some of the teaching may have sounded good at times and, yet, if believed and followed would result in the person being spiritually deceived. Worldly philosophy, and false gospels that have a hint of truth interwoven with lies, are not of God. I have said this before. Truth mixed with error is not truth, it is error.

Now Paul confirmed the believes had received Jesus as Lord and Savior and encouraged them to continue to live in him. Paul did not want anyone to be deceived by lies or nice sounding words.

“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. 9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority” (Colossians 2:6-10).

The best way to not be deceived is to be rooted and built up in Christ. To know the truth and not be deceived through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world. I have heard it said that treasury agents can tell if a dollar bill is counterfeit by the feel along with other indicators. As believers we need to know the truth so well that when we are faced with false teaching, we turn away from it immediately.

‘To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”’ (John 8:31-32).

I want us to focus on verses 6 and 7 but we need to continue reading a few more verses to fully grasp what Paul wants us to understand.

“In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead” (Colossians 2:11-12).

Living in Christ is a choice. Believing in Christ and the gospel message is a choice. It is a choice every person will need to make one day. Choosing to live in him. Believing that in Christ all the fullness of the deity lives in bodily form is a decision that will require faith and your spiritual eyes to be opened to the truth of the gospel.

What Does “Living in Christ” Mean?

Paul tells us that in Christ we have been buried with Christ in baptism and raised with him through faith and the power of God. Paul tells the believer that they had been circumcised. Not a physical act but rather a spiritual putting off of the sinful nature. That in Christ the fullness of the deity lives in bodily form. That the believer has been given fullness in Christ. That the believer is to continue to live in Christ.

What Paul is saying is that, for the believer to not become deceived, they should avoid fine-sounding arguments and choose to live with Christ (in him) daily. They need to be rooted in Christ and a sound foundation.

When you grow in wisdom and spiritual understanding in Christ:

• It will keep you from becoming deceived.

• It will help you to grow stronger in faith.

• It will help you to live and walk in a manner worthy of the Lord and please the Lord in every way.

• You will bear fruit and develop spiritual endurance and patience, giving thanks to God.

Paul has used the terms in Christ, in him, and with Christ a number of times in Colossians. Being in Christ would seem to indicate a kind of relationship. A relationship involves getting to know each other. A relationship is developed and takes time. A relationship is not simply knowing about someone. It involves more than that. It becomes an important part of one’s life. A relationship is where two individuals learn of each other’s likes and desires. A strong relationship that weathers storms is a deep and enduring relationship. A good strong relationship is built on honesty and truth over time. A lasting relationship is one that holds no wrong and has a good foundation. A lasting relationship is one where each person places the other person’s wellbeing before their own. It is also where the two have in mind mutual desires, and a realistic expectation of each other. I believe this would be true for a good friendship, a marriage, and our spiritual relationship in Christ.

How Do We Finish Well?

The believer’s relationship with Christ is not a sprint. Your life in Christ is more like a marathon. To run a marathon takes training. It takes endurance and patience. It takes setting goals and trusting that the process works. It takes understanding and a clear focus to achieve the desired outcome of finishing the race well.

For the believer to finish well, we live our lives for the glory of God and in a manner worthy of Christ. It means being rooted and built up in Christ. It means being strengthened in faith. Obeying the teaching of God’s word. It means remaining in him and become fruitful in all we do, for the glory of God.

This way of life begins with knowing Christ as Lord and savior and growing in all spiritual wisdom and understanding. It is being spiritually alive in Christ and having the peace of God, even in the storms of life.

Paul reminds the believer that they received Christ, and now they were to live rooted and built up in him, being strengthened in the faith that they were once taught and overflowing with thanksgiving.

Why Is It Important to Be Rooted in and Connected to God?

The word rooted is a horticultural or gardening term. The word built up is an architectural, building term. The believer is to be rooted in Christ.

“so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:17-19).

Trees and plants would wither and die without roots. It is the root that absorbs the water and nourishment from the soil. Without the root the plant would not survive. The root gives the tree and plant the stability to grow upward.

In Luke 8 we find the parable of the sower and the parable speaks of four different soils: hard soil, rocky soil, thorny soil, and good soil. It’s the rocky soil that gives us a picture of how important the root is to the plant. In this parable, the sower spreads the seed, and some fell in rocky soil, but it withered after coming up because there was no moisture (Luke 8:6).

“Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away” (Luke 8:13).

The seed sprouted and began to grow but without a root it will die. The same is true for the person of faith. A person may receive the word and become joyful but when a difficult situation arises, they can fall away because they are not drawing wisdom and strength from being rooted in Jesus.

Matthew recorded the same parable as Luke. This is what Matthew says about the rocky soil.

“The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away” (Matthew 13:20-21).

In Revelation 22, Jesus uses three names in reference to himself, one of them being the Root.

“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.” (Revelation 22:16).

Where do spiritual strength and wisdom come from? It is important to be rooted in Christ and the word of God. Spiritual strength and wisdom come from being rooted in Christ the Lord.

The gospel of John speaks of the parable of the vine and branches.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples” (John 15:5-8).

This parable conveys the same truth. If the branch (the believer) is cut off the vine (Jesus), the branch will wither and die. If the branch is no longer connected to the vine, the branch is good for nothing. By itself the branch is simply a dead stick and good for nothing but to be burned. However, if the branch remains connected to the vine, it will produce much fruit and God will be glorified.

Being connected to the root is important. The root is the source of life for the plant and Jesus is the source of life for the believer.

The believer is also to be built up and has a firm foundation in Christ.

“Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit” (Ephesians 2:19-22).

The believer needs a good foundation. Every building needs a solid foundation. A spiritual foundation in Christ and the word of God is no different. The cornerstone of the building is vital to the foundation. Everything must be in alignment with the cornerstone. Matthew 7 tells us the importance of a good foundation.

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash” (Matthew 7:24-27).

In Luke 6, Jesus is teaching about the wise and foolish builder.

“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? 47 As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. 48 They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built” (Luke 6:46-48).

Verse 49 addresses the foolish builder.

“But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete” (Luke 6:49).

Matthew 18:18 and 1 Corinthians 10:4 both refer to Jesus as being the rock.

“They all ate the same spiritual food 4 and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ” (1 Corinthians 10:3-4).

In Matthew 16:18, Jesus is speaking to Peter and says “on this rock I will build my church” and hell can’t overcome it.

These scriptures show us it is vital for us to see the importance of being rooted and built up in Christ. Without being rooted and built up in Christ you can easily be deceived. You can find yourself running after false teachings; worldly philosophy and hollow promises based upon untruths.

What Can We Do to Remain Rooted in Christ?

What can we do to ensure we are building a good foundation and that Christ is our cornerstone?

• Grow in wisdom and spiritual understanding as you study the word of God.

• Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to open your spiritual eyes to the truth of the Gospel as you read the scriptures.

• Abide daily in the word and prayer.

• Allow the testing of your faith to deepen your dependence on Christ. Understand that spiritual growth and understanding is developed with testing. It produces strength and endurance for the next time.

I have heard it said that tree branches grow stronger and will flex in a strong wind because of previous lighter winds.

‘This is what the Lord says: “Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the Lord. 6 That person will be like a bush in the wastelands; they will not see prosperity when it comes. They will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives. 7 “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. 8 They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”’ (Jeremiah 17:5-8).

Be like that tree that sends its roots out towards the stream. Draw all you need spiritually from the Lord and not from worldly philosophy or descriptive words of false teaching and lies.

Trust the Lord with all your heart. Live rooted and built up in Christ and you will be strengthened in faith and overflow with thankfulness. You will live with the fullness of Christ in your heart. You will be spiritually blessed and fruitful. Your faithfulness will glorify God.

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