Our Root Life

Our Root Life

“When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside. But he who has 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. 13:19-21.

All growth depends on a root life. Everything that is planted and does not take root properly withers and dies. The nice aroma and the beautiful colors are lacking. The roots have a hidden life; they force their way into the ground in order to absorb water. The roots will die if they cannot do this properly.

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

A superficial life can be the result of superficial preaching. They do not hear about the tribulations that shall work an eternal and exceeding weight of glory in them. They do not hear about the riches of the reproach of Christ outside the camp. They do not become grounded in Jesus’ words in the Sermon on the Mount about being blessed when they are persecuted. Matt. 5:10-12. If we are in the right position of faith, our roots will go down and reach the wells of joy, and the visible result will be songs of praise and giving of thanks. “And the remnant who have escaped of the house of Judah shall again take root downward, and bear fruit upward.” 2 Kings 19:30.

Giant trees cannot stand without strong roots that reach deep into the ground; otherwise they would be blown over when storms and hurricanes come. When their roots are interwoven with each other, these trees remain standing in all kinds of weather.

“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.” Eph. 3:17-19.

The glory that we see openly is a result of a hidden root life. The roots go deeper and deeper down to the sources of water. “Your plants are an orchard of pomegranates with pleasant fruits, fragrant henna with spikenard, spikenard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense, myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices—a fountain of gardens, a well of living waters, and streams from Lebanon. Awake, O north wind, and come, O south! Blow upon my garden, that its spices may flow out. Let my beloved come to his garden and eat its pleasant fruits.” Song of Sol. 4:13-16. Everything that was planted in this glorious orchard was firmly anchored with good roots. They stood firm, and their aroma was even more glorious when storms and hurricanes began to blow.

We must see to it that the roots of our heart are firmly anchored in the riches of love with all its good effects, “if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel . . . .” Col. 1:23.

“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:19. We receive according to the laws of receptivity.