From the Roots, Up.

A major lesson I am learning here (to go along with THIS post) is to love from my roots up.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23

How do you read these verses? Somehow, I think I am in the habit of skipping the part that says “fruit of the Spirit.” I look at the list and say, “Okay, Christian, this is what you are supposed to look like. GO!”

In discipleship this week, we talked about these verses. Look at a tree. Do the branches push and push and all of a sudden, pop! There is the fruit?! No! The tree and the branches just sit and enjoy the sunshine. The roots though, they dig deep into the soil and soak up the water. The roots are where the fruit comes from. Where are your roots? God is teaching me to plant my roots deep into his love. I want to live from the roots up. I want my roots to be so grounded in the truth of God’s love that fruit abounds. It is time that I stop looking to squeeze out some fruit and start loving God so that the fruit of the Spirit has room to grow.

These nine verses complete sum up what I am learning:

“I am the true vine and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide I me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless you abide in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide I me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered , thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.” John 15:1-9

I love the promise that He will prune the branches so that they bear fruit. The pruning may hurt but it is completely worth it! Then right after that we are told that we are already clean! How wonderful! Jesus’ blood wiped away our sins, past, present, and future! “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus!” (Romans 8:1)

I want so badly to glorify God! This verse tells me how: bear much fruit, prove to be a disciple. And how do I bear much fruit? Abide in his love.

Prayer Request Update: Pray that I would abide in His love! This week I have tried to think about doing each thing I do: holding a baby, mopping a floor, etc because God loves me. Pray that I will continue to do this and continue to realize just how much my Father loves me!