roots

Colossians 2:6-12

Paul is concerned that the church in Colossae might be taken in by some worldly philosphy. Paul doesn't indicate exactly what the philosophy teaches but he says that it is rooted in human tradition and elemental spiritual forces. I'm not sure exactly what he means by that but it is clear that these traditions and forces are opposed to Christ.
Paul is also concerned that the church has a proper view of Christ: the fullness of the Deity rests on him and he is the head over every other power and authourity. This connects back to what Paul said in chapter one about Christ being the firstborn - the favoured one - over all things and having authourity over all things as their Creator. As the head, he brings the church to fullness (in Ephesians he talks about the church being the fullness of the one who fills all things in all ways) and he cuts away anything that does not align with his character and purpose.
Paul uses two analogies or word pictures to describe the cutting away. The first is circumcision (the cutting of the flesh) which Paul uses to talk about Christ cutting off our sinful nature. The second word picture or symbol is baptism - in which the believer is acting out the fact that he has been buried with Christ (at which point Paul says the sinful nature is cut off - symbolized by the purifying effect of the water) and raised from the dead to new life.
This purification and being raised to new life is just the beginning - I must continue to live out my faith. Paul calls us to be rooted and built up in Christ, to draw our strength and life from him and then to bear fruit (specifically the fruit of thankfulness). I think that too many "christians" are relying on a prayer that they said when they were young to save them or the fact that they are immersed in Christian culture. I wonder if they are rooted in Christ. I wonder if they are finding their life in him.