Let’s talk about what it means to grow into mature Christians.  Today we will look at an overview of what the topics will be the next three weeks and focus on being Rooted in Christ.

Last week we talked about how as Christians we should continually be growing up in Christ and becoming mature Christians. If we are not growing then there is something going on in our spiritual lives that needs to be addressed.  Without digging this in detail we might say that things such as sin, spiritual “drought”, or the lack of regular “spiritual nutrients” (such as not time with God or not worshiping with other believers) can cause a lack (or even a perceived lack) of spiritual growth.

Over the next 3 weeks we will be talking about what a mature Christian looks like and how we get there. Since we are disciples of Jesus Christ, that essentially means becoming more like Him.

There are many ways we could look at this, and perhaps many different ways to illustrate it, but we have chosen to use the illustration of a tree to put this in our minds.

When you consider a beautiful, mature tree there are 3 different aspects that make it mature.

 

First it is strongly rooted and established. We will talk about this more at the end.  But as you can see in the picture above, roots are a very important part of a tree.

                               6As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. (Col. 2:6-7)

Second, It has gone through the process of growth, and has become mature. It has grown up into what it was designed to be.  It is firmly grounded and established.  In Scriptural terms it is perfect.  We will talk more about this truth next week, however click HERE for a great article that talks about the Biblical concept of perfection. (It may be slightly different than how you are used to thinking about perfection!)

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” (James 1:2-4)

Thirdly, a mature tree is useful and fruitful. We will talk more about this in a couple of weeks.  But a mature tree has grown into intended use (telios).  A few examples of the usefulness of trees might be converting poisonous carbon dioxide into life-giving oxygen, or supplying a home and shelter to countless species of animals.  A fruitful tree provides food and a mature tree multiplies and reproduces itself.  When you think about it, there are many spiritual parallels we could make here, but that will have to wait for another time.

 

So what does it mean to be Rooted in Christ?

Ephesians 3:14-21 gives us a beautiful picture of what it means to Rooted in Christ.  Unfortunately there is not room here to thoroughly explore this passage, but I would encourage you to check out www.biblestudytools.com where you can dig into the original meanings behind the words that give this passage such spiritual power.  Once you open the page listed above you can click on some of the main words and phrases to get the original meaning from the Greek.

You can start by checking out the words that are in BOLD below:  

16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height– 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. (Eph. 3:16-19 NKJV)

 

Another passage which gives an awesome picture of being rooted in Christ is Psalm 1

So how do we become Rooted!?  There is so much that we could discuss about becoming Rooted in God’s love, but for now let me just give 2 very simple answers to that question.  If we will dedicate ourselves to these two things so much more will begin to fall into place in our lives!

  1. Delighting in God’s Word (Ps. 1:1-2)
  2. Christ dwelling in us (Eph. 3:14-21)

 

Next week we will explore what it means to truly grow up into the men and women that God wants us to be by being filled with His Spirit!