Rooted
Every great teacher has something in common: they are able to communicate in a way that allows them to be understood. The greatest example of a relatable teacher has to be Jesus himself. When Jesus taught he spoke in parables because he wanted to be understood by the average person. Several times in the gospels Jesus likens the process of spiritual maturity to a plant growing from a seed into a great tree.
Once a seed has fully matured, the tree is powerful and able to serve. Its fruit can feed the hungry, its shade can provide comfort, its branches can provide warmth, and its wood can provide shelter. However, none of these things can happen if the tree is not firmly rooted. Just as a tree without roots will surely fall, a Christian without a firm foundation will fall.
How does a Christian lay down their "roots?" What kind of foundation will fortify a Christian against the storms of life that threaten to blow them down? Consider these Christian "roots."
Knowledge of Truth
Recently, there has been a push to reject the very notion of truth, but reality is full of objective truths. The Christian is not doomed to live in a world of speculation and uncertainty. Consider Jesus' words in John 8:31-32. The Christian's foundation must be founded upon historical, theological and doctrinal truths.
An Earnest Heart
Foundational to Christianity is a pure and sincere heart. Sincerity in action and in thought ought to be a hallmark of Christianity. The Christian ought to earnestly seek God and be pure in speech and action. On two occasions James warns against being a "double-minded man." That sort of instability should not be the Christian's defining features, but instead it should be a life of authenticity that stems from a pure heart.
Fellowship and Unity
One of the greatest aspects of the church are the relationships that are built between Christians. I hope that we never undervalue the unity of the church. There is a reason that Jesus sent out his apostles in groups of two. The support and mutual respect among peers makes the church an invaluable institution. Like Solomon said, "A three-fold cord is not quickly broken" (Ecclesiastes 4:12).
As Christians we need to be rooted. Rooted in love, in our commitment to do right, and rooted in God. Consider Peter's exhortation in 1 Peter 1:22-23, "Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God."
