Evening Scripture

Colossians, Chapter 2 

I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.

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.

For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.

When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you. Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind. They have lost connection with the head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.

Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules: “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.

Evening Reflection

Our Scripture tonight encourages believers to know the truth and stand firm on what they have been taught. Paul, the author of Colossians, employs Christ-followers to be rooted in Christ. He writes, “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” (Colossians 2:6-7).

When I think about being rooted, I am reminded of the Mesquite tree. These specific trees thrive in harsh desert environments, and it is their root systems that set them apart. Their taproots can grow down over 100 feet to find water! The root system of the Mesquite is essential for its survival. The roots have to find living water to both grow and flourish. How can we make sure our roots are growing deep in Christ?

First, we can start by being taught about Him. Psalm 92:12-13 writes, “The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God.” If you want your roots to grow, get plugged into a Bible-believing church!

Next, we see Paul encourage us to “overflow with thankfulness.” First, we must remember the ways He has blessed us. Isaiah 46:9 declares, “Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me.” When we recall God’s faithfulness and authority in our lives, gratitude naturally flows. A heart of gratitude is a humble heart, rooted deeply in Him. 

Finally, we must continue to die to the flesh and keep our eyes focused on Christ (Colossians 2:20). The ways of the world, selfish ambition, greed, lust, contentment, pride (the list goes on!) will only kill the root system of your faith. But pursuing the way of Christ, His kingdom, righteousness, and love for Him and others, will cause your roots to go deep and wide. When the drought comes, the dark night, or the storm approaches, you will be unshakable. Stay deeply rooted in Him!

Evening Prayer

Father,
This is my desire: to know you and grow in you deeper tonight. Root me in Christ! If there is anything in the way of my faith growing deep like roots in you, show me. Reveal to me any hindrances that are causing me to stumble. Forgive my sins and renew my faith. Lead me to eternal water, and may I grow into a living testimony of your love, grace, and strength in my life. In the mighty name of Jesus,
Amen.

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