Our Root Life

Our Root Life

All growth depends on a proper root life. Everything that is planted will wither away and die if it is not properly rooted, and all scent and the beauty of rich colors will vanish. The roots have a hidden life; they need to go deep down into the ground to absorb water. If the roots cannot do this properly, the plant will die.

Jesus says, “But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.” Matt. 13:20-21.

There are many who receive the Word with joy, and they can praise God in their testimonies, with song, and with music. But it is all more or less on the surface. They reckon that this joy will continue without tribulation, reproach, or persecution; and when these things come unexpectedly over them, they do not have root in themselves to remain standing.

A superficial life is the result of superficial preaching. New converts are led astray from the beginning. They do not hear that tribulations will give them an eternal fullness and a greater and exceeding weight of glory.

They are not rooted in Jesus’ words which He spoke in the Sermon on the Mount. Matt. 5:10-12. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” The disciples were not to be frightened by their opponents. For their opponents it was a danger signal of their perdition, but for the disciples it was a sign of their salvation by God. “For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake . . . .” Read Philippians 1:28-29.

If we have taken this position of faith, we will put our roots constantly deeper into the wells of joy. That will cause us to praise and thank God openly. “And the remnant who have escaped of the house of Judah shall again take root downward, and bear fruit upward.” 2 Kings 19:30. If we want to be a part of that holy remnant who will escape the great tribulation and all superficial religiosity, we need to put our roots deep down into all the virtues of Christ so that all these virtues can bear abundant fruit upward.

We read about Job that he, together with Noah and Daniel, was one of the three most righteous people on earth. He says, “My root is spread out to the waters, and the dew lies all night on my branch.” Job 29:19. He had his root deep down in the wells of righteousness, and righteousness grew up in all directions openly. He helped the fatherless, and he made the widows’ hearts rejoice. He clothed himself with righteousness, and it made its dwelling in him. He was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame. He was a father to the poor, and he searched out the case of those who were unknown to him in order to help them. They could not cast down the light of his countenance.

Paul writes in Ephesians 3:17-19, “That you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” Our spiritual root life has to be in order if we want to have a share in the fullness of the riches of the love of Christ. “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:19.

We press deeper into love and every other virtue and bear fruit upward according to our longing, our desire, and our interest in it. “Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.” 1 Tim. 4:15. If our life and thoughts are in the virtues of Christ, it will be evident to everyone.

If we are rooted and firm in the faith, we will also abound with thanksgiving (Col. 2:7), and we will be enriched by experiences.

Instead of having one’s roots planted in good ground, i.e., in a good heart, so that one can bear abundant fruit in everything that is good and noble, one can have one’s roots in bitterness and selfishness. In that case all kinds of evil can grow up and harm us as well as others. “For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” 1 Tim. 6:10. We must guard our hearts against this awful root. Love of money and greed are the very opposite of God’s nature. God gave, and Jesus gave. “He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness remains forever.” 2 Cor. 9:9. If we sow sparingly we will also reap sparingly. “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” Luke 6:38.

The bride invited both the north and the south winds to blow through her garden. Neither plants, bushes, nor trees were harmed by the strong wind. The more the wind blew, the stronger was the glorious aroma that ascended to the Bridegroom. All the roots in this garden were firmly anchored in good ground.

Now we need to make sure that we are rooted in a life in God. We can expect strong autumn storms, and if we are not properly rooted in all the virtues of Christ, we will be blown over.