Uniting Heaven and Earth

Christ in Philippians and Colossians 

Complete in Christ

Lesson 10 - Monday 

Rooted and Growing in Christ

“As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him” (Colossians 2:6, NKJV).

Paul’s message in Epistle to the Colossians is clear and practical: the way you begin with Christ is the way you continue with Him. You received Him by faith. You walk in Him by faith. Christianity is not a one-time decision; it is a daily, steady growth.

In Colossians 2:7, Paul expands the picture: “rooted and built up in Him.” He shifts to a plant metaphor. Christians are not machines plugged into a power source. We are living plants. And living things must be rooted.

The Plant Metaphor in Scripture

The Bible repeatedly uses plants to describe believers:

• Isaiah 61:3 calls God’s people “trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord.” The point? God plants us. He intends us to grow. A planted tree does not wander. It settles into the soil chosen for it.

• In Matthew 3:10, John the Baptist warns that trees not bearing good fruit are cut down. Roots matter, but fruit proves life. A rooted believer produces visible evidence of Christ.

• In Luke 8:11–15, Jesus explains the parable of the sower. The seed is the Word of God. Some plants spring up quickly but wither because they have no deep root. Others are choked by thorns. Only the deeply rooted plant bears fruit with patience. Shallow faith does not survive pressure.

• In 1 Corinthians 3:6, Paul says, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.” Spiritual growth is a partnership. We receive teaching and encouragement from others, but only God produces real transformation.

These passages illuminate the metaphor:
Roots represent depth in Christ, stability in truth, and dependence on God for nourishment. Without roots, there is no endurance. Without endurance, there is no fruit.

What Does It Mean to Be Rooted?

To be rooted in Christ means:

• Your identity is anchored in Him, not in circumstances.

• Your beliefs are grounded in His Word, not in trends.

• Your strength comes from daily communion, not emotional highs.

Roots grow in hidden places. No one applauds roots. But storms expose whether they exist. When trials come, a rooted believer bends but does not break.

Dying to Self: The Necessary Condition for Growth

Here’s the part many avoid: growth requires death.

Jesus taught that a seed must fall into the ground and die before it bears fruit. Spiritually, dying to self means surrendering pride, ego, and personal ambition to Christ. It means saying, “Not my will, but Yours.”

You cannot be rooted in Christ while clinging tightly to self-rule. Self wants control. Self wants recognition. Self wants comfort. But Christ calls us to surrender.

Dying to self is not self-hatred. It is self-surrender. It is choosing Christ’s lordship daily. When self decreases, Christ increases. And that is where real growth begins.

Walking as You Received

Paul says, “As you have received Christ… so walk in Him.” You didn’t save yourself. You trusted Him. You don’t grow by self-effort alone either. You stay connected. You remain grounded. You keep drawing life from Him.

A tree does not strain to grow fruit. It simply remains rooted. Growth is the natural result of connection.

So the question is direct:
Are you rooted deeply in Christ, or are you surviving on shallow soil?

If you want lasting spiritual strength, don’t chase spiritual excitement. Go deeper. Stay planted. Die to self. Remain in Him.

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Prayer

Father in heaven,

Thank You for planting me in Christ. Forgive me for the times I have tried to grow on my own strength or sought nourishment from the wrong soil. Root me deeply in Your Word. Teach me to die to self each day and to surrender my will fully to You. When storms come, keep me steady. Produce in me the fruit that honors You. Help me to walk in Christ just as I first received Him—by faith, humility, and trust.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

More on Lesson 10: Complete in Christ

This Quarter's Sabbath School Lessons Here: Christ in Philippians and Colossians