I take it that the seed in Jesus’ great “Parable of the Sower” illustrates the types of responses the Gospel might receive as it is preached around the world.
One particular category of “ground” on which the seed fell is described like this … “Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: and when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because THEY HAD NO ROOT, they withered away.” Matthew 13:5-6, watch the capitalized words, please.
It is commonly known that a tree’s root structure determines much about the life (longevity) of that huge green giant.
Books have been written about roots. Lots of Roots!
What about us spiritually, our roots? Let me begin with a few verses …
A fig tree Jesus condemned also had a root problem … “And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree DRIED UP FROM THE ROOTS.” Mark 11:20
And Jude, in his little Epistle, portrays certain apostates (false believers) this way … “Trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, PLUCKED UP BY THE ROOTS.” Jude 12
Roots are obviously important!
Now, for us Believers who desire to grow in Christ …
Here’s how to live! “ROOTED and built up IN HIM (Jesus), and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.” Colossians 2:7
Paul gets even more specific … “BEING ROOTED and grounded in love” … God’s goal for us, as taught in Ephesians 3:17. (The multi-faceted love of God, of course.)
What kind of root system does this tree (man, really) have, do you imagine? “And he shall be LIKE A TREE PLANTED by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” Psalm 1:3, planted by all that water, great roots!
How does one get such deep, healthy roots?
The “WATER” of the Word, I suspect! (Ephesians 5:26, if you’d like to read this fact.)
Folks, get IN the Bible and stay there! Roots grow slowly … but surely!
I think the Bible might say so much about roots because Jesus is One! “And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, THE ROOT OF DAVID, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.” Glory to God, Revelation 5:5.
And by all means, do not end up like this … “Ephraim is smitten, THEIR ROOT IS DRIED UP, they shall bear no fruit.” Hosea 9:16
No root, no fruit!
Someone wisely said that if we take care of our depth (roots), God would Himself take care of our breadth (fruit)!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
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