Weed a garden someday. Then go back in three weeks, and see if the weeds are all gone.
The trick is to get the roots. If not, the garden looks nicely weeded, but the weeds will return, more resilient than before. The roots will continue to grow, becoming deeper and stronger, even though the new growth we see peeking out looks like an immature shoot. We will have created a monster weed even as we tried to make our garden pretty, and it will rob our good plants of the nutrients they need.
The Bible repeatedly speaks to planting and harvesting. Some of the references address the actual plants we place in the ground, but as often, we read of spiritual planting and harvesting, for in many aspects, the two are the same.
Let’s see what God has to say about the roots that we claim.
Genesis 1:29 tells us that there is no part of the harvest that is not ours. We can take this to include the spiritual harvest that is ripe right across the world.
“And God said, ‘Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food.’ ”
Proverbs 6:16-19 gives us a list of weeds to watch out for. We must remove these, root and stem, or they will return to haunt us, more firmly rooted than ever.
“There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.”
3 John 1:2 and 2 Peter 1:2-3 tell us of the personal harvest he offers us when our gardens are properly prepared.
“Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.”
“May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence.”
God wishes us to grow in his spiritual garden. He has provided nutritious soil, and he shines his love on us. All we have to do is dig out the weeds so that they do not choke our roots from drawing our sustenance from him.
When we cast out sin, every bit of every root must be completely gone.
Copyright © 2014 MyChurchNotes.net
Originally Published 8-19-14 in Discipleship