THE SUPERNATURAL POWER OF DEEP ROOTS
“And the remnant who have escaped of the house of Judah shall again take root downward and bear fruit upward” (2 Kings 19:30).
In our text, the Prophet Isaiah speaks of a remnant people whose lives would bear much fruit as a consequence of having deep roots.
Jesus told us that His Father in Heaven chose and appointed us to bear an abundance of lasting fruit for His glory. “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain…” (John 15:16 NKJV). Moreover, the presence of fruit in our lives is the proof that we are true children of God and Christ’s disciples. “My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples” (John 15:8 NAS). This fruit is designated the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23) as well as the fruit of righteousness (James 3:18). Fruit is simply the visible manifestation and expression of the invisible life that is in the tree.
As Christians, it is imperative that we understand the very nature of God is in us. Peter says we have become “…partakers of the divine nature…” (2 Peter 1:4). As a result, we have not only the responsibility, but also the capability to manifest the life of Christ to our world. Jesus said that “…every good tree brings forth good fruit…” (Matthew 7:17). It is not the fruit that makes the tree good, but the tree that makes the fruit good.
In the natural, the secret to ensuring a harvest of rich luxuriant fruitful is the health and vitality of the root system. This is also true as it relates to the Christian walk. “…And if the root is holy, so are the branches” (Romans 11:16). Christ instructed His disciples about the key to a fruitful life. Never once did He lay the responsibility of bearing fruit on them. Read carefully His words: “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit…” (John 15:5 emphasis added).
Stop trying to bear fruit! God never called you to do that. Focus on abiding! The word “abide” is literally “stay connected.” As the branches stay connected to the vine, the life in the vine flows into the branches. The branches then effortlessly bear fruit. Fruit is the promise; abiding is the process!
Abide in Him and you will experience first, the root, then the shoot, and, lastly, the fruit!
APPLICATION: What are some ways a Christian can practically “abide” in Christ?
