In my Sunday school class, we have been taking steps to become deeply rooted in the heart of Jesus. We have been thoughtfully reflecting on how Jesus reveals the heart of God as being approachable and full of compassion.
As Christians, not only are we called to draw near to God and to love Him and worship Him, but it is also our calling as His adopted sons and daughters to become like Him. Romans 8 tells us that believers are “predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son.” It is God’s plan, established long ago, to mold Christians into the likeness of Jesus. This is a great gift from God to us and a great gift we give to the world because there is no better personal experience or gift that we can give to another than the presence and character of Christ in us. From this will flow every good fruit.
In his book, Gentle and Lowly, Dane Ortlund writes, “Only as we walk ever deeper into His tender kindness can we live the Christian life as the New Testament calls us to. Only as we drink down the kindness of the heart of Christ will we leave in our wake, everywhere we go, the aroma of heaven, and die one day having startled the world with glimpses of a divine kindness too great to be boxed in by what we deserve.”
The Apostle Paul prays, “And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge.” (Eph. 3)
So, draw near to our God of love. Make space to spend intentional time in His presence. Pray. Think deeply on His word. Actively pursue Him. And in doing so, your roots will grow deep into His love and bear every good fruit.