When a seed is planted in the ground, it is intended to bring forth a plant that will grow into a mature plant. The seed first sprouts a root. Once the root is started, it obtains nutrition from the surrounding ground. It then begins to grow a stem, which will break the surface of the soil. As long as the root is able to get proper water and nutrition, the stem will have leaves and eventually the nut, fruit or vegetable that it has the ability to produce.
In Colossians 2:7 Paul wrote, “Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.” Paul pictured the Christian as a seed that is planted. The person must first be rooted. However, what is the soil in which the person is to be rooted? It is Jesus Christ. You read that in verse six. It is interesting that Paul put the word “rooted” in the perfect tense in the Greek. That means it is a one-time occurrence with ongoing results. The person is planted in the water of baptism. That is the burial ground. Unless one is baptized, one cannot be in the proper soil (v. 12).
The words “built up” are in the present tense in the Greek. This means that being built up is an ongoing process. One is not built up only once. One must continue to receive nutrition and watering through the root to grow into a mature Christian. If a Christian stops studying his Bible, stops attending church services and stops having association with other Christians, then he cannot get the proper teaching and encouragement needed to remain a growing Christian.
Study your Bible. Learn all you can about being a Christian. If any of this is hard to understand, ask an adult to help you.
