Roots

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 2:6-7, 3:12–17, NIV 1984).

My Musings – “You can’t have the fruits without the roots.” (“The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People,” Stephen Covey). Unless you are “rooted and built up in Him,” you will not bear the fruits of “compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience,” through both good and bad “weather.” The “peace of Christ [will not] rule in your hearts.” The ability to “bear with [one another] and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another,” will be severely hampered.

“By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.” (Matthew 7:16–18, NIV 1984).

My Advice – How are you recognized? By what kind of fruit? “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire, while every [tree] that does bear [good] fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” (Matthew 7:19, John 15:2, NIV 1984). To bear good fruit, you must be rooted in Him.

Author: thebrewisamusing

I was raised in a Christian family and my earliest childhood memories include regular Sunday school and Church attendance as a family. I was taught that our Judeo-Christian values were not just a part of our Sunday routine they should be part of our character and influence all aspects of our lives. I was also taught that as important as these values were they could not save us. We must also be “born again” by accepting Christ. View all posts by thebrewisamusing