Roots are the route to fruit(s)

We've talked a bit about Trees - let's look at the 2 ends of the trees...

the root and the fruit(s).

It goes without saying that a tree without deep roots won't last very long. As they say, the higher the house, the deeper the foundation needs to be.

Closely tied to that: the quality of a tree/plant's fruit is totally dependent on the quality of its roots - it's a linear relationship - there are no shortcuts to this principle.

I like the way the Bible puts it:
Isaiah 27:6 - In the days and generations to come Jacob shall take root; Israel shall blossom and send forth shoots and fill the whole world with fruit [of the knowledge of the true God].*

Isaiah 37:31 - And the remnant that has survived of the house of Judah shall again take root downward and bear fruit upward.* Note that it is only those who have "survived" that can take root and bear fruit. Believe it or not, we're wired to last!! We have everything we need inside of us to overcome all that happens outside of us. Like Joyce Meyer puts it, we must all discover the "power of one". Of course the "power of one" is based on the fact that greater is He that is us than he that is in the world" - we got the Power on our side.

Another set of verses I like are:

Jeremiah 17: 7-8 - [Most] blessed is the man who believes in, trusts in, and relies on the Lord, and whose hope and confidence the Lord is. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters that spreads out its roots by the river; and it shall not see and fear when heat comes; but its leaf shall be green. It shall not be anxious and full of care in the year of drought, nor shall it cease yielding fruit.* We only take root when we trust God. Have the roots [of your being] firmly and deeply planted [in Him, fixed and founded in Him], being continually built up in Him, becoming increasingly more confirmed and established in the faith, just as you were taught, and abounding and overflowing in it with thanksgiving.*(Colossians 2:7)

Confidence comes with taking root in God because "the root of the [uncompromisingly] righteous shall never be moved."* (Poverbs 12:3)

It's one thing to have solid roots and a different matter to have high quality fruits. Jesus said that it's our fruits (not our roots) that will "tell" who we really are (Matthew 7:16). The fig tree was not cursed because it didn't have roots, but because it lacked fruits (Matthew 21:19**) - bearing fruit is serious business.

In wrapping this up, let's take a moment to consider:
Am I lacking fruit? Hint: Check if you have roots
What is the quality of my fruit? Hint: Take a look at your roots.

To have fruits of high quality, we must spend quality time "digging" into the word of God - the route to fruits that abide is to have roots that remain intact.

I join Victor Hugo to advise: Change your opinions, keep to your principles; change your leaves, keep intact your roots.

 
Source:
*Amplified Bible
**Matthew 21:19 - And as He saw one single leafy fig tree above the roadside, He went to it but He found nothing but leaves on it [ seeing that in the fig tree the fruit appears at the same time as the leaves]. And He said to it, Never again shall fruit grow on you! And the fig tree withered up at once.