"No Roots"

"And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended." Mark 4:17

I am concerned about what I see happening in the church now days. "Mega" churches are on the rise; congregations are growing; people are filling up the churches, and this concerns me. Don't misunderstand, I would love to see each and every church filled to running over all the time. The thing that concerns me is that we have "full" pews and "empty" people.

As you look at the congregations you see people, but do they have a "root system"? Are they rooted and grounded in faith? Are they just "superficial"? Do they look good on the outside but have nothing underneath them giving them support? In some of the neighborhoods where I live, there are these majestic oak trees. They are magnificent looking. They look strong and stable. But when a storm or strong wind comes many have fallen. From their appearance you would think that they would be able to withstand whatever nature threw their way. But they don't. The reason is because they don't have a very good root system. There aren't enough roots to hold them up and the roots that are there are shallow and not very deep at all-- they are too close to the surface.

This is why I am concerned. The crowds are there. They look the part. They seem to be spiritually all right. But what about their root system? Is it even there? Do they even have one? You can't help but wonder when you see them so easily shaken by even the slightest trial. You can't help but wonder when the Bible is not an important part of their daily routine. You can't help but be concerned if they have any roots when there is no application of the Word of God in their lives, there is no sign of repentance, holiness, discipline, the Fruit of the Spirit, prayerlessness and there is no seeking of the Kingdom of God. You can't help but be concerned when the lifestyle they portray is immoral, ungodly, self-centered, unholy, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God and they are following after their own lusts, desires and ambitions. You can't help but be concerned when there is no evidence of the surrender of their lives to the Lordship of Jesus, and when they prefer what they want over the teachings of God's Word.

A tree or plant may look good, but without a root system, it won't last. Large congregations and lots of church-goers may look good, but if they don't have roots, they won't last.

 

Have a great day. Has the church become like a forest that has lots of trees, but those trees have no roots.

For further reading:

Matthew 13:6; 15:13
Mark 4:6
Luke 8:13
Ephesians 3:17
Colossians 2:6-8

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><

Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell

and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from

About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.

Please feel free to

call (601) 833-5278 or

Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net

Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.

You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.