Rooted, Built Up, and Alive in Christ

As we step deeper into the letter to the Colossians, Paul offers a powerful reminder in today’s passage—“As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him” (Colossians 2:6–7, NRSV). These words are not just poetic theology; they are a call to action, a spiritual foundation for the church—then and now.

Paul urges believers to remain firmly planted in the gospel they first received. The metaphor of being rooted and built up offers a clear image: like a tree whose roots dig deep for nourishment and stability, our spiritual lives must find grounding in Christ, especially when the winds of cultural pressures and false teachings swirl around us.

In the early church, as in our own day, believers faced competing philosophies and empty promises of salvation through worldly systems. Paul addresses these directly: “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition” (v. 8). In other words, don’t be fooled by what sounds good but lacks the life-giving power of Christ.

The New Interpreter’s Bible Commentary highlights how Paul frames Christ as the complete revelation of God. It notes that “in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily” (v. 9), meaning that Christ is not simply a wise teacher or moral example—He is God in flesh. This has huge implications: if we are joined with Christ, then we are joined with the very life and power of God. We no longer live under the weight of human-made religious systems or cultural standards that exclude or shame. We are made alive in Christ (v. 13), forgiven, and set free.

The Wesley One Volume Commentary reinforces this by tying Paul’s teaching to a core Wesleyan belief: prevenient, justifying, and sanctifying grace. Justifying grace makes us right with God through faith in Christ (v. 13b–14), while sanctifying grace continues the work of rooting and building us in holiness.

In verses 16–19, Paul warns against letting others disqualify us by judging how we observe festivals or food laws. These things, Paul says, are “only a shadow of what is to come,” and the reality is found in Christ. For a community like yours—multi-generational and deeply compassionate—this teaching invites us to focus not on appearances or rituals alone but on Christ-centered living.

Dr. Ashley Boggan, in Wesleyan Vile-tality, reminds us that Methodism at its best is not rigid in form but passionate in purpose. When we cling to Christ as the head of the body (v. 19), we experience a church alive, nourished, and growing. A church full of vitality doesn’t just follow rules—it lives resurrection life every day.

So what does this mean for JC 1st UMC and White City UMC? It means our focus is not on the old “checklist faith” but on deep-rooted connection with Jesus. It means we celebrate the love that includes, the grace that heals, and the Spirit that still builds us up for holy living and faithful service.

Let us then walk with confidence, not in human rules but in the fullness of Christ. For we are not dead in sin—we are alive in Him.

Reflection Questions:

• What does being “rooted in Christ” look like in your daily life?

• Are there cultural pressures or habits that pull your focus away from Christ?

• How can we, as a church, stay connected to the Head—Christ—and grow in love and mission?

Bibliography

• Boggan, Ashley. Wesleyan Vile-tality: What Makes Methodism Methodist. United Methodist Publishing House, 2023.

• Gaventa, Beverly Roberts. Colossians, in The New Interpreter’s Bible Commentary, Vol. XI. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2000.

• Wall, Robert W., and William H. Willimon. The Wesley One Volume Commentary. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2020.

• The United Methodist Church. Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church. Nashville: United Methodist Publishing House, 2016.

• The United Methodist Church. “Our Wesleyan Heritage.” www.umc.org/en/content/our-wesleyan-heritage