Colossians 2:6-8 (NIV)
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.
Paul well understood that a good beginning was not enough. The pages of Scripture are littered with the lost souls of those who started strong, who had God’s help constantly available to them, but who turned out of the way before they finished. This tragic crew includes even great leaders like Saul and Solomon who were given so much by God, but who, in the end, threw it all away for their own agendas.
So, Paul urges the Colossians that, even though they had a very good start, to continue in the right path, and not let themselves be pulled out of the way, taken captive to attractive and persuasive purveyors of false theology, human traditions and so-called “secret knowledge”. These had already wrecked the life and faith of more than one of Paul’s companions in the gospel (1 Timothy 1:18-20).
Paul’s prescription to help them to stand fast is, first of all, continuing to live in Jesus. Receiving him as Savior is only the first step to living in God’s Kingdom, and the faith once received must be lived out moment by moment, day by day. Paul likens this continuing walk to a plant establishing a strong root system deep into fertile soil. Deep roots take time and energy to develop, but once grown they ensure not only stability, but also a rich supply of nourishment, helping the plan to stay alive even when those plants around them that are more shallowly rooted dry up and die in times of drought.
It is also essential to stick to the faith that was originally taught them by Epaphras, and not go chasing after the latest spiritual fads and ideas. Once a person loses the path, it can be quite difficult to find one’s way back. Some never do. Others return, like the prodigal son, only after trials and suffering that could easily have been avoided, and that often leaves deep scars.
Finally, they needed to maintain an attitude of overflowing thankfulness for all that God had given them, as well as for his moment-by-moment presence with them. That thankful attitude would keep their hearts focused on God and would prevent them from being distracted and pulled away by the lure of false teachings.
Father, the danger is just as great today, and the shiny baubles of new spiritual fads and new ideas is even more available today than ever before on the Internet. Lord, help us to stick firmly to Paul’s prescription: staying rooted in Jesus, deeper in deeper every moment; continuing to grow, not in new ideas, but in the faith handed down to us from our forebears; and continually giving thanks for all you have done for us. Those three supports will help us to stand firm in the midst of the siren calls to “new knowledge” and “new ideas” that have shipwrecked so many souls. Amen.