Solid Roots

"One that would have the fruit must climb the tree." (Thomas Fuller)

And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. (Colossians 2:6-7)

Fuller also reminded us that all things are difficult before they become easy. We may not find our walk with Jesus all that 'easy' right now, enduring some struggles along the way, but you can trust me on this one - the longer you remain consistent in following his path, the easier it is to trust him when the path becomes hard. One that wants fruit may find it is higher up in the tree than he can reach easily - so he has to find a way to obtain that fruit, doesn't he? Why would it be any different when we desire God's rich spiritual fruit to be produced and enjoyed in our lives? 

We have to continue in our walk - suggesting we might just want to give up along the way because it gets too hard. Roots don't just happen - they have to press deep within the soil the seed was planted within. The more they press into the soil, the 'solider' the connection becomes between the seed and the soil. Some of us haven't really allowed those roots to press into the soil of our hearts - we just watch as the roots wither and dry. Then we wonder why our connection with Jesus is kind of 'bland' or 'dry'. If we consider the effort we put forth to be 'rooted well', we might just find we didn't put forth all that much effort!

Strong faith isn't accidental - it is purposefully sought. Just as the roots of the tree seek moisture within the soil, so our spirit seeks the refreshment that comes from spending time in God's presence. Whenever we deny ourselves the privilege of time with Jesus, we are allowing the soil to go dry. We may have 'roots', but they aren't finding much refreshing! Fruit isn't always within reach - we must climb the tree to obtain it. This suggests there is a bit of 'work' on our behalf to actually see the fruit of God's Spirit developing within our lives. The more 'effort' we put into the bearing of fruit, the more fruit will be produced.

Was the fruit produced just because there were buds upon the tree? No, it took solidly planted and nourished roots! Therefore, if we want God's spiritual fruit within our lives, we need to focus on getting those roots solidly planted, sinking deeper and deeper into the soil he has prepared. Just sayin!

The fruit of willingness

But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely. Legalism is helpless in bringing this about; it only gets in the way. Among those who belong to Christ, everything connected with getting our own way and mindlessly responding to what everyone else calls necessities is killed off for good—crucified. (Galatians 5:22-23)

I often speak of finding 'something new' in scripture - passages I have read a hundred or more times, but all of a sudden something new comes across to me. There isn't any 'new truth' - it is just that I was finally open to seeing the truth that has always been there. What was today's 'revelation'? It began when I saw the words, "What happens when we live God's way", and came to life within me when I read those words, "We develop a WILLINGNESS to stick with things". That may not seem like much of a revelation to you, but if you have ever struggled with the 'willingness' to do what you know must be done in your life, you know how hard it is to get to the point of being totally abandoned to doing it. Your flesh is weak, as is mine, and your desires are lofty, as are mine! We desire to do things the way God expects us to do them, but we lack the 'umph' to 'get 'er done'. 

The crux of this passage is the bearing of fruit - the fruit that comes not of our own doing, but because God causes that fruit to come forth in our lives. We begin to see evidence of this 'spiritual fruit' in the areas of our affections (the things we desire), exuberance for life (enthusiasm to embrace all God asks), and our serenity (the deep inner peace that guides our path). In turn, we begin to witness the development (not the instantaneous occurrence) of consistency (the willingness to stick with what God asks). If you have ever struggled with obedience in any area of your life, this may just your lesson today. Christ "killed off for good" the desire to go our own way, but we may not feel like those desires are 'fully dead' within us. How is this possible? Our 'will' hasn't seen the full maturity of the fruit God is growing within us yet, but it is growing!

The fruit God's Spirit begins to grow within us doesn't just appear fully developed - it is like the citrus on the tree. It must move from bud to tiny hints of green fruit. The green fruit grows a little bit and is challenged by the winds, cool nights, and heat of day. As the fruit begins to be nourished by the 'attachment' it maintains with the tree branch, sheltered by its leaves, it grows larger, but remains quite green. As the seasons come one after another, the fruit 'matures', but looks unchanged externally. The growth is happening on the inside long before it is evident the maturity is occurring on the outside! We change on the inside long before we see those changes manifest in outward obedience. The willingness to change (mature) begins as a tiny bud, but the fullness of the fruit may not be seen for many seasons of change within our lives. Just sayin!