Rooted and built up in Him, and established in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Colossians 2:7
Two girls from a Christian school applied for, and received, admission to a daycare program at the community college in Saint John. These girls, one of whom was my daughter, were amused at some advice given to the students by the principal of the community college. By way of encouraging the students at the opening-day assembly, he urged them to celebrate their accomplishments. He suggested that when they passed a test or an exam, they should go out and celebrate with a pizza and a beer. Many of the students followed his advice, and spent much of the school year wasting time and money in the bars each night. The girls from the Christian school ignored the dangerous advice; they knew better because they had been taught to do better. We who are taught by Assembly teachers in the Assembly environment are also able to withstand the world’s foolish advice, because we have been rooted and built up in Christ.
Professing Christendom knows nothing about being rooted and established in Christ. Even the so-called evangelical denominations receive teaching that is often fluffy, with little expounding of the Scriptures. The need for good teaching, consistent godly instruction among God’s people, has never been greater among our Assemblies. Young people need to be taught and encouraged, and given a solid foundation of understanding of New Testament Assembly principles. This foundation will serve them well when the entertainment and emotional attractions of the denominations come along. If they are rooted and built up in Christ, they will not be led astray with every wind of doctrine. That goes for everybody in the Assembly, not just for the young folks. But the young people will be the future of our Assemblies for a long time, and it is urgent that they are well prepared for the dangers ahead.
But being rooted and built up in Christ is not just to protect us against problems. Our text speaks of abounding therein with thanksgiving. Paul is even more interested in seeing the saints forging ahead victoriously and joyfully than he is with seeing them defending against attacks. Abounding refers to making the most of their salvation, living as good testimonies in the world, striving together for the furtherance of the Gospel, Abounding speaks of vibrant Christian families, strong and active Assemblies, and faithful Christian testimonies. And thanksgiving speaks of our attitude. Our world is largely thankless; perhaps they have nothing to be thankful for. But we do, we have every reason to praise our God every waking moment for what He has done for us and for what He can do through us.
Everything we need in order to make us the Christians and Assemblies we ought to be is found in the teaching that roots and builds us up in Christ. -Jim MacIntosh