Rooted in Love

The below is actually a post in my Quiet Time blog which i just revived today.


Eph 3:17b - And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,...."

ref Matt 13:20,21 - The one who received the seed that fell on rocky ground is the man who hears the word and receives it with joy. But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble and persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away.

I've read the parable of the sower and heard many sermons about it. Every time, I just assumed that having no root just means having no real foundation. That isn't wrong, but the question is what foundation is required? Foundation in God's Word? No, many have studied the bible religiously and have still fallen away, Pharisee's not the least of such people.

Rather, what is required is a foundation in God's love. We MUST be rooted in God's love, and our roots must go deep. It is only when we are empowered by God's love that we can overcome the trials that this world throws at us and come out stronger. Since we fall away from God, we would be unable to bear fruit.

This brings me to the second point. Without first drawing from and experiencing God's love, we would be unable to love those around us. If we have never experienced real love, how are we supposed to know how to fully love anyone else? Yes, we have experienced love from those close to us, but even this is imperfect love. When we draw on the Father's love, we can reflect some of His love to those around us. It is only when people see this unconditional love of God through us that they will give Christ any real thought.

So how do we send grow our roots deep into God's love? It is widely accepted that the soil in the parable of the sower is a metaphor for the state of our heart. If our heart is a rock, we block out God's love for us. Here lies the problem, we are sometimes have our hearts so closely guarded in the fear that we will get hurt that we block out things which are essential to our growth. In this case, we block out God's love, which he offers freely to us.

If our hearts are made of good soil, our roots can easily penetrate through and reach God's unending supply of love. Release your fears to God and open your heart to Him. Let His love flow right through you. You will find rest in His arms and shelter under His wing. In this conditions, we will be fruitful.