Root: Established In God's Family

Oak Seedling

^"Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root." - Mark 4:5-6

Each seed that germinates has a certain measure of growth potential built into the seed and the fruit that contains the seed. There is enough nutrition there for a sprout to seek the sun and for the roots to seek the soil. By the time those initial resources have run out, the new sprout must be viable on its own, or else it will wither and die.

Jesus applied the same principle to the word of God-the "seed" planted by God: 

"But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away." - Mark 4:17

Each seed has within it the full potential for germination and life. Many seeds never reach that potential because, in horticulture as in life, the environment is harsh towards young sprouts. Likewise many people have heard the word of God, felt the power of God, and started to sprout spiritually, based on the life-giving resources of the seed itself, yet they never root and never become viable.

I call this the real world test and have seen it repeatedly in the lives of those introduced to God, who then respond enthusiastically to the Word, often with supernatural encouragement. Then comes the first test. It might be the return of a habit, or a relationship, or a circumstance. But it is the world attempting to assert its dominance again in a person's life. The test always involves a choice: to trust the Word or to return to the previous pattern. Trusting God's word deepens the roots. The other choice leaves them stunted.

How do we engineer the environment to foster healthy rooting? Cultivation. Paul talked about it, saying:

"I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow." - 1 Cor. 3:6

There was a care in the planting. There was a care in the nurturing. There was a dependence on God.

Much of this process lies in the heart, where each person receives the word. But the church also has a responsibility of cultivation, in at least three ways:

• Planting. People in this rooting phase need to have established relationships with other followers of Jesus. During the rooting phase, they must come to publicly identify with the church, through the ordinances of communion and baptism.
• Nurturing. The rooting phase is all about drawing sustenance from the words of God. Encouraging good habits early of hearing, reading, memorizing, meditating and apply the word of God guarantee a viable believer who can thrive.
• Dependence. God gives the growth. It is his seed that is planted. It is his spiritual DNA that is being born in our life. Healthy believers use prayer to reinforce our habit of dependence on God.