Deeply rooted in Christ

https://odb.org/2025/05/08/deeply-rooted

Ephesians 3:14–21 (NIV): 14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

A benediction is a horizontal statement of blessing bestowed by a person on another. A classic example is the Aaronic blessing in Numbers 6:22-26. A doxology, however, is a vertical statement of worship to God. The word doxology comes from two Greek words—doxa (“glory”) and logia (“word” or “saying”). It’s a declaration of the glory of God. An example is the angels’ doxology on the night of Jesus’ birth in Luke 2:13-14. In Ephesians 3:14-21, Paul blends both. In verses 14-19, he prays for God’s blessing on the Ephesian church, and in verses 20-21, he declares God’s “glory in the church.” We could practice both benediction and doxoloy when we pray, speaking of God’s blessings upon our loved ones, our brethren in church, and all those who are going to hard times and giving glory to God for the goodness He bestows on us and in our lives.

Coming back to the topic of the day, we need to be deeply rooted in Christ, in His love so that our faith remains strong in the face of both adversity and deception, the latter will become more prevalent in these end times.

How do we be rooted in Christ? We read God’s word and meditate upon it more. We spend our quiet time with both Christ and the Father, with the Holy Spirit helping us along in the communion. We learn and grow more in the knowledge of Christ and His Wotd. Ultimately, we need to learn more of our faith in order not to be deceived. Then we practise what we learn as we apply His Word and teachings into our daily life, in our interactions with one another. In the process, we are transformed into the person God wants us to be in our words, deeds and thoughts. We embody the fruit of the Spirit. We become more loving with more joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. We become a person of good character, living out the goodness of God in our lives. In this way, we will stand firm despite adversities life brings, deceptions of the devil, or even temptations of the world. We will always stand firm in our faith! Amen!