A Year 4 Transformation: Day 179-Rooting Your Faith in Christ

Passage of the Day:

But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. ⁸ What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ ⁹ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. ¹⁰ I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, ¹¹ and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead, Philippians 3:7-11.

Reflection:

One of my favorite illustrations of Jesus is the portion in John 15:1-7 where life as a Christian is found by remaining connected to the Vine. Behind these 7 verses of the Bible, John suggests that spiritual life comes from being rooted in Christ. If Jesus is the Vine and God is the Gardener, faith in Christ comes from the willingness to prune, the dead areas of your life, so that spiritual life is stimulated.

Prayerful Action:

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, ⁷ rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness, Colossians 2:6-7.

Preparing Your Fields to Bear Spiritual Fruit:

While attending a Youth Ministry Trade Show in 1993, I was urged to start memorizing verses in the Bible. Although, I don’t remember the reason I bought into this spiritual discipline, I now see this as a great way to become rooted in Christ Jesus. When you’re experiencing a series of failures for a couple of years like I have in South Carolina, the Bible is the only thing keeping me from giving up. Despite waves and wind continuing to crash upon me, remaining rooted in Christ keeps my faith alive.

Song of the Day:

As the summer heat bring arid conditions to your home, stay rooted in Christ so that your faith is left standing as life’s storms subside.

by Jay Mankus