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Rooted And Established
Brian Mashburn
July 13, 2008
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Rooted And Established
Here is a basic piece of wisdom that Christ followers must capture: Everything we do has a reason behind it, a motive.
We all get so caught up in people's external behaviors, including our own, that we lose sight of this, and for the Christ follower, this is absolutely tragic. Tragic, because transformation happens inwardly at the level of motive.
Yes, what we do matters, of course. It matters whether or not we lie, cheat, gossip, or steal. It matters how we treat people. It matters what we do to and with our bodies. But Jesus teaches that all of these actions are "rooted and established" in something within us. And it is there, in that realm of motive, that he wants to address us, heal us, and transform us and our behaviors. Because everything we "do" has a motive.
Have you ever stopped to ask why you are the way you are? Do we choose our clothes because we like them - or because they will cause others to think we are cool, professional, laid back, or sexy? Do we not speak up in small group because of humility, or to avoid putting ourselves "out there," risking being judged or not liked? So you never miss church? Why? Because you are really worshipping God or because people will talk if you don't or you're afraid of going to hell if you miss? Are you really "not an organized person" by divine design, or is it just convenient to leave the organizing to someone else? You are always late...why? You always speak your mind...why? You think your spiritual life is private? Why?
Everything...EVERYTHING...is rooted and established in a motive. If we want to change, then what our motives are rooted and established in must change. Otherwise, we will find ourselves striving by our own power to change our behavior.
This truth literally brought Paul to his knees in desperate prayer in Ephesians 3:17 - "I pray that you will be rooted and established in love." Whatever your motive is for each behavior, you are forgiven. But God wants to heal them all, simplifying your life by replacing them with the only powerful, life-giving motive that exists...love.