December 14 2011

Your Roots
 
Reading: Colossians 2:6-8, 6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. 8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.

As we understand that it is up to us how rich and prepared our soil is for the seeds that God is planting in our hearts and lives, we see how rich and plentiful the soil and fruit is in other Christian’s lives. As we do, we want to share soil with them because we see the results. Many times these are pastors, teacher or mentors. Men, what happens when one tree that is already established has another growing right next to it? Exactly… the tree that has just started growing or grows in the shadows of the larger tree does not get nearly the nutrients or “Son-light” that it needs. More dangerous still is the fact that the roots become intertwined. The reason that this is so dangerous is because when the larger tree is uprooted or cut down and removed, guess what happens. That’s right… the others come with it that have been clumped together. Men, this is exactly how church splits occur… this is exactly how people fall away from the Lord when a pastor or someone who you respect has fallen into sin. These verses are extremely invaluable to you and to our churches today. If you truly have received Christ Jesus, walk in HIM, not in anyone else. Let your roots sink deeper and deeper into Him and nothing or anyone else. This is when you will be established and strengthened and you will become an “oak” of faith. I have seen too many fall flat on their face, not to rise again for many years, with many hurts and scars because they chose to use someone else’s soil and let their roots grow into a man, instead of Christ.

Where are your roots? Do you want a test? If the godly man you admire the most fell into sin or left or said something hurtful to you, would it affect your relationship with God and your walk with Him, if so, how much would it?

Really evaluate it… it’s not too late to be transplanted into Christ. How can you start that process today?


 

End of the Day Review
  
How were you able to evaluate whether your roots are established in Christ?
 
 
How were you able to grow and strengthen your roots in Him today?