… may have power …
Summary: Roots are a metaphor for our relationship with God and his love for us. As we put down roots in love, we find the spiritual water and nutrients we need for life. More than that, we are strengthened with power.
Since we are talking about roots, it seems worthwhile to dig into the subject a little deeper. What does Paul mean by using the metaphor of being “rooted and established?”
I am not much of a gardener, but lately, I have found myself fascinated by God’s handiwork in the garden. Where I live, the soil is full of clay. When the sun bakes it in the summer, it gets hard. Watering helps, but the areas with lots of clay don’t grow plants well.
When my wife and I bring home a new plant from the store, we usually bring home a bag of potting soil, too. The potting soil is the right mix of nutrients, compost, and who-knows-what-all. What I do know is that it is the very best thing for starting a young plant.
As Christians, it is important that we be “rooted” in love.
When we accept Christ, we are uprooted from the life we lived before, and rooted in a new life in Christ. It takes time for the roots to take hold, but when they do, we become immovable in Christ. We are “established” in love.
To be established (many translations say “grounded”) is to be firmly placed where you are. An “established” tree is not afraid of wind or storm. Its roots go deep, and they are strong.
The established tree can’t become established unless it is first rooted. Roots grow and seek out water and nutrients in the soil. The tree draws its life from the soil, and the roots keep the tree fed and watered.
When we are rooted in agapé, we discover something we could never find by simply loving ourselves. When we care for others, we are nourished by the love we give. Rooted in love, God himself (1 John 4:8) flows through us. Rooted in love, we draw in more and more of what God wants us to have and be. Before you know it, our roots have gone deep. When that happens, we discover that God’s strength is flowing through us and strengthening us (Ephesians 3:16).
As we grow, our roots dig deep into the soil of God’s love. The power that Paul prays we will have flows through us naturally. Not the kind of power that feeds our human ego, but godly power. The power of love. The power that raised Christ from the dead.
Application: Wiggle your spiritual toes. Are they deep in the soil of God’s love?
Food for Thought: What dangers are faced by a believer who does not put down roots into agapé love?
What dangers are faced by a believer that does not put down roots into agapé love?
Two things come to mind:
One would not live in the inner peace that Christ provides.
Matthew 6:24 No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
One would find themselves returning to a self-centered life and the sin that thrives in that.
Galatians 5:13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.
Chris,
Great points! Being a believer is so much more than just saying the words. Where we put down roots shows up in what we do and how we live our lives.
I think there is a tendency to become legalistic. To follow rules supplemented by men that become a burden to ourselves and others. Luke 11: 37 – 46; Colossians 2: 20 – 23. Without love, even if I accomplish great things I fall short of God’s best. 1 Corinthians 13: 1 – 3.
Rich,
So true! I don’t want to be “a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.” As Paul says, if we do not have love, we have nothing.
06-03-2023, What dangers are faced by a believer who does not put down roots into agapé love?
With the Parable of the Four Soils, Jesus tells us there are four basic responses to the truths of the kingdom. He ends this parable with, “he who has ears to hear, let him hear” as a challenge to think about the meaning of the parable.
Matthew 13:18-23; Luke 8:11-15
I believe, in the book of John He reveals the sower, the coming and convicting power of the Holy Spirit. John 16:8
1.) Some simply do not understand it Matthew 13:19.
2.) Some hear and understand it, and are initially filled with joy, but troubles and trials of this world cause them to turn away and forget what they learned Matthew 13:20-21.
3.) Some respond with joy, and even begins to make changes and progress in their lives based on what they heard, but the cares and pleasures of this world lure them away from the truths of the kingdom and they leave it behind Matthew 13:22.
4.) There are those who hear the truths, respond to them, and continue in them, resulting in a great harvest Matthew 13:23.
Thank you, Ron!
That parable is very appropriate! It provides a larger perspective on how we relate to both God’s Word and his Love.