D.L.

Rooted in Christ

“For I want you to know how much I’m struggling for you—for those in Laodicea, and for all who haven’t met me in person. I want their hearts to be encouraged and brought together in love, so that they can have the full riches of understanding and know God’s mystery—Christ. In him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

I’m saying this so that no one tricks you with arguments that sound convincing. Even though I’m not there physically, I’m with you in spirit, and I’m really glad to see how strong and steady your faith in Christ is.

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, keep living your lives in him—rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”
(Colossians 2:1–7 CSV)

Have you ever:

• Wondered about the faith we have in Christ?
• Questioned whether the Gospel is really true?
• Asked, like Pilate did, “What is truth?”

If you haven’t noticed, we’re living in a time where “fake news” is everywhere—and that easily turns into “fake truth.” Truth becomes whatever I want it to be. And if something challenges my view, I can just dismiss it as fake.

But this isn’t new. From the very beginning, when the Good News of Jesus began to spread, the church has faced challenges from false ideas.

The church in Colossae was dealing with this, too. They were being hit from all directions with messages that tried to undermine who Christ really is, Chris Supremacy.

Now, Paul didn’t plant this church—Epaphras did, and he did a great job. Paul even praises him for it. This church knew how to love—God, each other, and the world. The Gospel was spreading through them.

Even though Paul wasn’t physically there, he deeply cared about them. He prayed for them—that they would have wisdom, strength, and that Christ would be at the centre of their lives.

In these chapters, Paul does three main things:

1. He reminds them who Christ is—supreme, creator, king, and head of the church. Fully God.
2. He encourages them to stay rooted in Christ and live out what they’ve received.
3. He warns them about false teaching—because if we’re not careful, we can be led away from the truth.

That’s the big picture. Now let’s bring it closer to home.

Paul’s message isn’t just about knowing things—it’s about living them out.

“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him…”

Let me highlight three simple ideas:

The Struggle

Paul talks about how hard he’s working and struggling for them—even though he hasn’t met some of them. The word he uses for “struggle” is intense—it’s like fighting, like giving everything you’ve got.

But how does he fight? Through prayer.

Even though he’s not there physically, he’s fully engaged spiritually. That’s powerful. Prayer isn’t passive—it’s active.

Remember What You Have

Paul reminds them of what they already have in Christ:

• Encouragement
• Unity in love
• Riches in understanding
• Full knowledge of God
• Wisdom and truth

You’re not lacking. You’re not missing anything. In Christ, you already have what you need.

So the question is: how do you see yourself?

Do you feel like you don’t deserve it? Like, you need to earn it?

If we don’t understand who we are in Christ, we’ll be easily misled.

That’s why Paul warns them—don’t be deceived by things that just sound right.

Stay Rooted

Paul says to keep living in Christ—rooted, built up, and strong in faith.

This means staying connected to him daily. It’s not just a one-time decision—it’s a lifestyle.

Yes, Jesus has saved us, forgiven us, and lives in us. But we still have to choose to stay grounded in him.

We do that through His Word, through truth. That’s what helps us stand strong.

Application

Let me ask you a few questions:

• Do you ever feel like you can’t change?
• Why do we resist change, even when we know it’s good for us?
• Are you rooted in Christ—or just going through the motions?

Paul finishes with something simple but powerful:
“overflowing with gratitude.”

Gratitude changes everything. It softens our hearts. It reminds us of God’s grace. And it helps us grow.

An ungrateful heart resists change—but a thankful heart is open.

So ask yourself:

• Am I rooted deeply in Christ—or just busy spiritually?
• Am I shaped more by truth—or by culture?
• Is my life marked by gratitude—or entitlement?

Because in the end, “fake truth” only makes sense when we’re not grounded in the real truth.