Rooted and built up in Him - Established in faith

Colossians 2:4-8

4 I am saying this so that no one will deceive you with persuasive arguments. 5 For I may be absent in body, but I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see how well ordered you are and the strength of your faith in Christ.  6 Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, overflowing with gratitude.  8 Be careful that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit based on human tradition, based on the elemental forces of the world, and not based on Christ.

It is hard to think that Paul wrote this approximately 2000 years ago. He could have just written it this morning - it would have been equally relevant.  In our day and time, it is of the utmost importance to be rooted and built up in our faith in Jesus Christ and on no other persuasive arguments or deceitful human traditions.  We are so easily taken captive by all kinds of philosophies based on the world's thinking and certainly not based on what we received from Christ.  How do we 'walk in Christ' in a time like this?  I believe that we need to get to know Who God is intimately and experientially, and we need to stay with the truth of Who He is - we need to stay with the truth that we have been taught, overflowing with gratitude for that truth that we have received but also overflowing with gratitude for what He has done for us, for Who He is and for who He has come to be for us, in us and through us.  

Point to ponder:  Who do you say Jesus is? Ask Him to reveal Himself to you and to shine His light on any false philosophies based on human traditions.

His Name is Jesus -Jeremy Riddle