September 11

Rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith.—Colossians 2:7.

DO I realize that the more closely I walk with Christ, the more firmly I shall be established in the faith; and that the more intelligent and vigorous my faith, the closer will be my walk with him? Do I remember that a holy life and a living faith always go together; and that we cannot be built up in Christ unless we are first rooted in him? Am I united to him by a true and active faith, loving his truth, doing his will, growing up in all things into him?

There are two different kinds of growth into Christ; a growth downward, when the believer becomes more rooted in his principles and established in his hold on the covenant; and a growth upward, like the palm and the cedar in the Lord's enclosed garden. But all growth comes from union with Christ.

While you live right, nothing goes wrong. A soul at peace with God cannot be greatly disturbed by the world, for being united to Christ, it has its life and joys in him, and its blessings from him.—JACKSON.

Thee I love, O Christ, alone, For thy wondrous mercy shown 'Tis thy wounds my healing give; To thy cross I look and live: Thou my life—oh let me be, Rooted, grafted, built on thee!