Rotten Root vs. Gospel Root
Plants have roots to anchor them deep in the soil, absorb water and other minerals to nourish the plant and store the reserve food. Without roots, plants can wither from lack of nourishment or be cut down by harsh elements.
Much like how our life has roots, our beliefs are rooted deep in our hearts. This is how we are nourished and anchored in life.
And much like how some plants’ roots rot, typically a fatal condition for the plant, our roots can be rotten as well. These roots fail to sustain our life and anchor us for times of trial.
A belief rooted in a lie is a rotten root that takes and destroys life, but a root planted firmly in Gospel truth gives abundant life to our souls.
Our identity has deep roots. Beliefs rooted in what others think and say about us are rotten. These roots tend to destroy life instead of giving life.
When others say you are worthless, unlovable, unchangeable, and intolerable to be around, do you believe them? Do you form your identity based on others’ opinions of you?
Rooting your beliefs of who you are in these lies is damaging to your heart and soul.
Rotten roots destroy our joy, our hope, our peace, our courage, and our faith. Uprooting these beliefs and planting new, firm roots in the truth is simple — search the Scriptures and believe the truth.
When Gospel roots form it is usually because we place our identity in who God says we are. God says that we are made in His image (Genesis 1:27) and therefore have worth. We are loved so much that God gave up His only Son to save us (John 3:16).
We are changeable because we are made a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). And God wants to spend time with us! He promises that if we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us (James 4:8).
This is what we should be rooting our identity in. We are loved so greatly that God sacrificed His only Son for us. Those in Christ are forgiven, made new, and given an eternal living hope of a secure future. We are children of God (1 John 3:1). This is our identity.
These roots give abundant life, joy, hope, peace, courage, and faith. They nourish our souls and anchor us so that when others speak lies about our identity, we stand secure in who God says we are.
Uproot your rotten roots, and find deep Gospel roots to nourish your soul.
And remember, “a well-watered life doesn’t happen overnight,” as author Gretchen Saffles says.
“It starts with planting a small seed. It takes time for the seed to grow, become deeply rooted, and produce fruit. Following Jesus is a lifetime journey, not something to mark off a checklist.”
