“And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow Him.
Let your roots grow down into Him, and let your lives be built on Him.
Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.” — Colossians 2:6–7 (NLT)
When we first come to Christ, it’s a beautiful moment of surrender — a new beginning. We receive forgiveness, peace, and the joy of knowing that we belong to Him. But Paul reminds us in this passage that receiving Christ is not the finish line; it’s the starting point of a lifelong journey.
1. Continue to Follow Him
The Christian life is not static. Following Jesus means daily choosing His ways over ours — in our attitudes, our priorities, and our relationships. Every day presents opportunities to either drift or draw closer. We “continue to follow Him” by staying in His Word, seeking His presence in prayer, and aligning our lives with His example.
Spiritual growth isn’t automatic; it’s intentional. Just as a tree must stay connected to its source of nourishment, we must stay connected to Christ, our source of life.
2. Let Your Roots Grow Down into Him
Paul paints a vivid picture of being rooted in Christ. Roots provide strength, nourishment, and stability. Without deep roots, a tree can look healthy on the surface but topple easily when storms come.
The same is true in our faith. When trials come — and they always do — our strength is not in outward appearances but in how deeply we are anchored in Jesus.
We grow deep roots by meditating on Scripture, walking in obedience, and allowing the Holy Spirit to shape our character. Over time, those roots go deep enough that even when the winds of disappointment, loss, or temptation blow, we remain standing — not because of our strength, but because of His.
3. Build Your Life on Him
Paul shifts from an agricultural image to an architectural one: “Let your lives be built on Him.”
Every life is built on something — success, relationships, comfort, reputation, or Christ. The foundation determines the stability of the structure. When Jesus is our foundation, our values, decisions, and identity all rest on something unshakable.
If Christ is our cornerstone, then every part of life — marriage, ministry, finances, work — aligns with Him. Anything built apart from that foundation may look impressive for a season but won’t endure the tests of time or eternity.
4. The Result: Strong Faith and Overflowing Thankfulness
When we are rooted and built up in Christ, our faith becomes strong. We stop being tossed around by every new idea or emotional wave. Our confidence grows, not in ourselves, but in the unchanging truth of God’s Word.
And the natural fruit of that strength is thankfulness. Grateful people are grounded people. When we live aware of all that Christ has done for us and all that He continues to do, thankfulness begins to overflow from our lives.
A Simple Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for saving me and calling me to follow You.
Help me to grow deeper roots in You — to stay connected, to build my life on Your Word, and to live each day out of gratitude for Your grace.
Strengthen my faith so that I may stand firm and overflow with thankfulness.
In Your name, Amen.
Reflection Question:
What would it look like for your roots to grow deeper in Christ this week — in your time, your habits, or your relationships?
