Rooted

Colossians 2:6-7

In my personal testimony, I focus on the difference in my life in recognizing Jesus as Savior and Jesus as Lord.  As Savior, I recognized Him at an early age.  I was around 10 years old when it happened.  One morning in Sunday school, they asked us if we believed in Jesus as our Savior.  I’m sure it happened more than once, but this time, I raised my hand.  I honestly don’t remember the specifics of what happened.  I do remember, however, later that day at my grandparents’ house when I told everyone that I had decided to receive and recognize Him as my Savior.  From that point forward, I have been assured I’m not going to hell when I die.  Fast forward 17 years, and I decided to recognize Him as my Lord and was baptized.  That’s when everything changed.

In that gap, I had learned more and more about who Jesus was, but all I really cared about was that I wasn’t going to burn in eternity.  I certainly believed with all my heart that Jesus died to save me from my sins, but somehow I still wasn’t rooted in Jesus as Lord, the way Paul describes it here.  I wasn’t walking in Him, so to speak.  I wasn’t living as if I were saved, yet as though I were still of the world…just with fire insurance.  I think part of this problem is that we live in a democratic nation that focuses so much on “freedom,” that our society has tainted the idea of God’s Kingdom and Jesus’ Lordship into one of having a voice and freedom to choose.  We can do what we want because we are still covered.  Sin isn’t as important to avoid because we have the assurance of what is going to happen anyway.  So, “eat, drink, and be merry” until you die.  Interestingly, when we read where that comes from in the bible, it actually has a negative connotation!  Read Jesus’ parable in Luke 12:

15 And he said to them, “Watch out and guard yourselves from all greediness, because not even when someone has an abundance ⌊does⌋ his life consist of his possessions.” 16 And he told a parable to them, saying, “The land of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. 17 And he reasoned to himself, saying, ‘What should I do? For I do not have anywhere I can gather in my crops.’ 18 And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and I will gather in there all my grain and possessions. 19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many possessions stored up for many years. Relax, eat, drink, celebrate!” ’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your life is demanded from you, and the things which you have prepared—whose will they be?’ 21 So is the one who stores up treasure for himself, and who is not rich toward God!”

So then, as Paul encourages the church at Colossae, let us focus on being rooted in the faith, growing in our relationship with God, and being grateful for the opportunity we have to know the Creator!  When we understand what it means to have Jesus as our Lord, we understand the beauty of submitting our will to His.  Submission, obedience, and discipline tend to have negative connotations in this free-will society, but the beauty of it is that we actually benefit greatly from it!  That is how God’s Kingdom works.  By serving Him, we get everything we need and more.  What we get is far more precious than any metal, gem, or other possession we could imagine.  We actually get to experience His realm this side of heaven.  We get to live in peace amidst the chaos.  We can have conversations with the very being that gives you breath every day.  We are provided for our needs, our protection, wisdom, grace and love…all things that have no countable price in this world.

I heard a sermon years ago that asked a very poignant question: what if the only things you would have tomorrow are the things you thanked God for today?  How much would you have?  Gratefulness is the key.  Recognizing all that God has done for you should be motivation enough to follow Him all the rest of the days of your life.