WHEN ROOTS MATTER

By David Pam McQuel

Paul states in Colossians 2:6,7 that, “So then, just as you received
Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him,
rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were
taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”

It is very significant a new convert to the faith in Christ be firmly
established in not only his conviction but also in his practice.
Therefore, Paul spoke of roots and foundation.

SIGNIFICANCE OF ROOTS

Quoting from Bonnie Plants, “Did you know that what you see above
ground in your plants is really determined by what’s hidden underground? What happens underground, where the plant roots live, drives plant growth. The bigger and healthier the root system, the bigger and healthier the plant.

What do healthy roots do? Many things. First, they provide the anchor needed to keep a plant in place. More importantly, roots are the lifeline of a plant, taking up air, water, and nutrients from the soil and moving them up into the leaves, where they can interact with sunlight to produce sugars, flavors, and energy for the plant. That is the magic of how things grow.

Additionally, biologists have recently discovered that roots actually secrete compounds that affect the microorganisms in the soil, doing things like helping protect the plant from disease and encouraging it
to absorb nutrients from the soil. There is a whole world of activity underground!’’

Why are roots so important?
1. Support of the plant
2. Take in water for the plant
3. Take in nutrients from the soil
4. There are storage roots
5. Some roots can start new plants
6. Roots prevent erosion of the soil there by preserving the plant

THE NECESSITY FOR ROOTS

Roots support of the plants

A believer that does not grow roots will be without the nececessary support to stand on his own when the time comes. The goal right from birth is that each believer should grow to independence and even bring forth after his kind.

Roots take in water for the plant

As important as water is, a plant has no access to water except by the roots. Without water, the plant dries up and dies. Water is a daily need for the plant. The bible tells us the word of God is water. As we
drink water several times daily, so the plant takes in water 24 hours. A new believer needs the water of the word daily.

Roots take in nutrients from the soil

Plants need a combination of nutrients and water. That access is only received from the roots. We can say the entire survival of the plant is totally up to its roots. Likewise a new believer. If you need a healthy and an effective Christian life, you need balanced diet of the
word of God and His truth which is the only means to it.

Roots are the storage reservoir

Human being store food in the stomach, in the liver, under the skin
and other organs so that the body can absorb and use in time of need.
Plants need that too. And so is our spiritual life. Our heart is the
connection to our spiritual roots where God’s word and power are on
standby.

Some roots can start new plants

In a lot of plants, reproduction can restart from the roots. New plants shoot out from the root. Even when a tree is cut down, it can grow back from the roots. In like manner, the root of a believe reaches and reproduces other believers.

Roots prevent erosion of the soil

It is important that soil remains intact because it is the home for plants.

Erosion destroys the earth surpase where plants are housed. By avoiding erosion, plants are preserved. Governments and NGOs embark on tree planting and citizens are encouraged to plant more trees to avoid erosion.

It is important when related with the truth of the kingdom. When believers are well rooted, they prevent erosion of the truth in the Church. This way the church, the assembly of the redeemed is preserved.

THE PROCESS OF ROOTING
 

Acts 2:41
The new believers CONTINUED in:
a. The teaching of the apostles
 

b. The fellowship of the community of the believers
 

c. Breaking if bread, the communion of the saints
 

d. In incessant prayer.
 

These are the factors new believers need, the atmosphere necessary and the ingredients for growing up and rooting deeply in Christ.

THE ABSENCE OF ROOTS

Paul speaking to Timothy, the pastor, penned down in an unadulterated manner, the consequences of growing a believer without roots in this passage.

"But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come:

For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was." 2Timothy 3:1-9

It should be the desire of every good pastor to see new believers as well as the old grow thick strong roots in the faith. 

That's the only assurance for stability and the future.