How Deep Are Your Roots?
When asked about their roots, many folks perhaps consider their places in the community, or their ancestry, or something of that nature. This is certainly plausible, as our “roots” have some impact on us. We understand this as we look into our heritage. Many have spent considerable sums and taken much time to research their roots for various reasons.
Some may want this information for health purposes. The tendency of a certain disease or physical abnormality within a family might be a good reason to have this information at hand. This could be quite useful to a physician as he or she treats someone in such cases. Others tout their “roots” in regard to their community because one with deep roots in the community indicates that the person has stability. Perhaps their family has been in the area for many years. This may also work in one’s favor with local law enforcement authorities, etc.
But, how many stop to consider the depth of their roots from a spiritual standpoint? My friends, these are the “roots” about which we should be most concerned. Colossians 2:6-7 shows that our roots “spiritually” must be firmly “in Christ”. As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
This is the same concept Christ was teaching in John 15:4-6 as He spoke to His apostles. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. From this we should see how important it is that our spiritual roots be in the right place and that they remain firm.
Part of the message of the parable of the sower in Luke deals with the necessity of roots. A plant, (or a person) without root, cannot be nourished as the root is the plant’s source of sustenance. In the Lord’s explanation to His close disciples in Luke 8:13, shows how the seed is ineffective when it does not develop roots. They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. The explanation in the Matthew 13:6 account shows what will happen if we have no root. And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.
We all understand how roots work. One of the things the encyclopedia tells us about plant roots is: In vascular plants, the roots are the organs of a plant that are modified to provide anchorage for the plant and take in water and nutrients into the plant body, which allows plants to grow taller and faster. They most often lie below the surface of the soil. A couple of points can be gleaned from this. 1) The roots “anchor” the plant. 2) The plant receives its life-giving nourishment through its roots.
As Christians, we are to be “rooted” in Christ. Therefore, in Him we have our anchor. 1) Per Hebrews 6:19 It is our hope in Christ that is our anchor. Those Hebrew Christians to whom this letter was written were told this so they would remain rooted in Christ. Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; 2) The Spirit, in 1Timothy 4:6 had Paul tell the young preacher how the Christian is to receive the nutrition that sustains spiritual life. If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.
We also know that the best way to prevent the growth of a tree, bush or any other plant is to separate it from its roots. The inspired message of John the baptizer in Luke 3:9 was to inform Israel that they would be “cut off” from God due to them having neglected and rejected His Word. And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. God was applying the axe of His wrath on those of His people who would not remain rooted in His Word and would not follow His instructions.
This has always been God’s Way of dealing with His people. God has issued His Commands, provided the time and means for man to heed His Law, and has also warned of the penalty of failure to obey. In Romans 11:22 the brethren at Rome were told that this is also the case in the church age. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. The goodness of God is shown in the giving of His Son on the cross of Calvary to purchase the church. His severity had already been shown to those that had rejected His Son, as they were “cut off”. His Love and goodness is still extended to all today that will obey the gospel. Put “roots” down today. Obey the gospel. Then strive to grow in the knowledge of the Lord and remain firmly and deeply “rooted and grounded in love”. Ephesians 3:17
Dennis Strickland – Mooresville church of Christ
