~ Theological Reflections ~


Firmly Rooted

The Apostle Paul spoke of a maturity in the Christian faith that involves a stability and firmness rooted in sound doctrine.  He wrote to the Colossians:

‘As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.  See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.’  [Col. 2:6-8]

To the Ephesians he also wrote:

‘We are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves, and carried about by every wind of doctrine . . .’ [Eph. 4:14]

Last summer our family was in Lincoln during the Lancaster County fair.  As we drove by the fair the children saw all the rides and asked if we could stop.  We decided that it might be a good break after the 4 hour drive.

This was a small fair by all accounts.  We spent most of our time looking at the bunny rabbits and other animals being displayed by different 4-H kids.  Then we finally made our way up to the ‘Midway’ – where the carnival rides were located.  You could ride on a flying airplane or a train or whatever.  These were the kind of rides that you set up in a day and take down the next. 

As we were looking over the rides to see which ones our kids might enjoy we noticed the Ferris wheel.  Not too many were riding on it.  In fact, most of the time it sat empty.  As we looked a little more closely we understood why.  There were two support arms coming out of the side of the base and they were resting on an uneven stack of 2 X 4 blocks of different lengths.  It looked very much like anyone could perhaps stumble into the blocks and the whole Ferris wheel would come tumbling down. 

Before we get on a ride or put our kids on a ride we want to know that this thing is stable – on a firm foundation – that a wind gust won’t blow it over or whatever.  That is very understandable. 

In the same way, in the spiritual realm, the Apostle Paul was concerned for the early Christians that their faith be firmly rooted and grounded.  He didn’t want them to be easily blown over by any wind of doctrine that might come along or to be taken captive by philosophy or empty deception.  He wants them to hold fast and continue in the faith.  Let us heed his instruction as well by holding fast to the gospel [Col. 1:23].  Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures.  He was buried and He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.  [I Cor. 15:3, 4].  Jesus is the One in whom we have redemption.  He is the image of the invisible God.  By Him all things were created.  He is the head of the church.  In Him the fullness of deity dwells in bodily form and in Him we have been made complete.  [Col. 1, 2]  Holding fast to Jesus means stability in the faith.  Anchoring our lives in the Word of God produces a secure foundation that will not be toppled.