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Partakers Of The Root
June 08, 2014
The apostle Paul points out in his letter to the predominantly Gentile church at Rome that we believers must be rooted and grounded in Jesus. He is the root, and we draw our sustenance from that root. If we abide in God's teachings, we are partakers of the root. If we do not, we are like dead wood cut out of the tree and cast aside to be burned. - Bernie Parsons
Partakers Of The Root
by Bernie Parsons
Presented to Globe church of Christ on 06-08-2014
Presented to Load church of Christ on 07-06-2014
In the last study, I discussed the fact that we take our spiritual
sustenance from being in Jesus Christ. We are born again into Him through
baptism. We walk in Him by obeying His word. Now, I want to talk a little
more about being in Jesus, and staying there. Recall what Jesus said:
John 15:5 “ I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in
me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can
do nothing.”
This disproves the religious argument long made that we have nothing to do
with our own salvation, or that we can never fall from grace if God has
pre-chosen us.
1 John 2:24 "Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the
beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in
you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.
25 And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life."
The above passage indicates that we play a role in “letting” the word of God
abide in us. Notice the big “if” it remains in us, we continue in the Son
and the Father, and shall receive the promise.
A few lessons back we read from Ezekiel that we can change our ways. We can
turn from righteousness to unrighteousness. We can turn from evil ways to
obedience. It is our choice.
Ezekiel 18:26 “When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and
committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done
shall he die.
27 Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath
committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul
alive.
28 Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that
he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die.”
It is incumbent upon us to consciously choose to do what God teaches, and
continue to do so. Speaking of Israel and the extension of God’s grace, or
favor, to the Gentiles, apostle Paul wrote:
Romans 11:11 "I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God
forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles,
for to provoke them to jealousy.
12 Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing
of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?
13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the
Gentiles, I magnify mine office:
14 If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and
might save some of them.
15 For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what
shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?
16 For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be
holy, so are the branches.
17 And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive
tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and
fatness of the olive tree;
18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the
root, but the root thee.
19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed
in.
20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by
faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare
not thee.
22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell,
severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness:
otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in:
for God is able to graff them in again.
24 For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and
wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall
these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree?
25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery,
lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is
happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out
of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as
touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes.
29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
30 For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained
mercy through their unbelief:
31 Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they
also may obtain mercy.
32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy
upon all."
Paul’s writing above shows us that we can be removed from the vine that is
Jesus Christ, or we can be grafted back onto that vine, or here represented
as an olive tree.
As the apostle Paul said, as we read above, in Romans 11:16:
“For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be
holy, so are the branches.”
The apostle Paul also wrote that followers of Christ must ever be vigilant
about remaining rooted in Christ, from whom our nutrients for growth flow.
Colossians 2:4 "And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with
enticing words.
5 For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit,
joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in
Christ.
6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:
7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been
taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving."
God opens the door and invites us all through it. It is up to us to decide
to enter into a life of righteousness. If we choose the darkness of sin, He
allows us that choice, as well.
Matthew 7:13 "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and
broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in
thereat:
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto
life, and few there be that find it."
Those outside of Christ, when they repent and turn to Him to live in
righteousness, will be grafted onto the main body of Christ. Those who are a
part of the body of Christ and who choose unrighteousness, will be pruned
from the body and cast aside.
Joshua 24:15 "And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you
this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that
were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose
land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."
The choice is ours to make.
