Colossians 2:1-8 "Rooted in the True Source"

Read Colossians 2:1-8.

"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness." NIV

I'm teaching Biology 1 to my 14-year-old right now. We are studying Kingdom Plantae - or for you laymen, plants. :) Just this week we were discussing how water moves up the roots of a plant to the leaves. Scientists actually don't know for sure how this happens, but their theory -- the cohesion-tension theory -- is this. As the stomata (tiny pores) in the leaves open for photosynthesis to happen, the water in the leaves evaporates out of the pores. Since water molecules really want to stay together -- they have a really tight bond with one another -- as the water evaporates, the molecules below them rush upward to stay near the higher ones. Then the molecules below those rush up to stay with the ones above them. The follow-the-leader water molecules continue pulling water up into the xylem (a transportation pathway) in the roots through the stem out the petioles to the leaves until the stomata close for the night and evaporation stops. Pretty cool theory, huh. The trick is the root must be in wet soil to have a supply of water to draw from.

Verse six says that we are to be rooted in Christ Jesus. He is our "water/nutrient" supply. Without the water He provides, our leaves will wilt and if completely cut off from His supply, eventually die. We have to have his nourishment to continue to live spiritually. Water from any other source will seem to be helpful, but actually is doing nothing but starving us to death. You see, a plant receives all its water and nutrients from what the roots draw up from the soil. Water that has fallen directly onto the leaves does not feed the plant. Other beliefs and philosophies, even Christian traditions, cannot fill us up and grow us up spiritually. They will just sprinkle us with useless droplets. But the real power for our existence comes from Jesus Christ and Him alone. His power flows up from the depths of our being, keeping us standing straight and strong, growing and shining for His glory. Don't you just love how God's creation illustrates His character?

Further Thoughts:

1. What or whom do you have your roots planted in? Are you putting too much faith in the droplets on your leaves?
2. What does Scripture say about false prophets or listening to man over God?
3. How do we keep our roots firmly planted in Christ Jesus?