The Root of the Righteous
… a synopsis of A. W. Tozer’s writing
We have often heard the riddle, “What comes first, the chicken or the egg?” Perhaps analogous to this enigma is the question, what is more important, the root or the fruit? Inasmuch as the fruit bears the seeds for the propagation of similar plants, what then, is the significance of the root, that structure which is oftentimes beneath the ground, hidden from plain sight?
In applying this analogy to the cultivation of our Christian faith, it seems that in modern times, many are enamored with outward appearances, with the fruit of the tree, whereas in the olden days, our fathers were more concerned with the root of the matter. “Our fathers looked well to the root of the tree and were willing to wait with patience for the fruit to appear. We demand the fruit immediately even though the root may be weak and knobby or missing altogether.” (1)
God’s Word tells us that “the root of the righteous yields fruit” (Proverbs 12:12). The fruit springs from the root, for the root is the source of sustenance and growth. Listen to the lament of a few righteous men, that much that passes for Christianity today is the “brief bright effort of the severed branch to bring forth its fruit in its season.” But the laws of life and nature are against it. There is no lasting fruit and viable growth apart from the root.
We must consider the root first; we must go back to the grass roots: to open our hearts and search the Scriptures; to bear our cross, follow our Lord, and pay no heed to every passing and momentary religious vogue.
How do we cultivate the root?
One way is that we must give time to God. One of the most persistent problems found among Christians is retarded spiritual progress. Many find themselves no further along than when they first came into the faith. There are many explanations to this, but there is one universal reason that may easily be the main cause: the failure to find time to the cultivation of the knowledge of God.
The distractions of the age have never been more bewildering than in the present time, with the overwhelming advance of technology, and the introduction of props and paraphernalia to amuse and entertain: that sweep the human mind and soul out of the place of communion with God. But if we are wise, we will resolutely put these aside and make room for the King, and take the time to entertain Him. We can neglect certain things with minimal loss, but to neglect communion with God comes at a very high cost, at the peril of the well-being of our very own souls.
We must give time to God.
Reference: A. W. Tozer, “The Root of the Righteous”, Wing Spread Publishers, Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, 2006, pp. 3-9. Footnote: Ibid., p. 3.
lilies, sparrows and grass 
Beautiful, Dee. Such a loving reminder of our true home. ~ Love, Bobbie
Thank you, Bobbie. I am so happy these words spoke to you. Love, Dee
Time with God, consistent, quality time with Him, to become in tune with His will and His ways…that’s where our abundant life starts and stays. Thank you, Dee…excellent reminder!
Lester
Very well and wonderfully stated, Lester. Indeed our abundant life starts and stays in Him, and being close to Him. Thank you as always, Lester. Dee
Thank you for this, so beautifully expressed, Love, Linda
And my heart is blessed that this post touched you, Linda. Love, Dee
Jesus cursed the fig tree because it was false advertisements ~ we are to recognize each other by the fruits we bear and not our pretty leaves~ Fabulous post!
Thank you so much…indeed, we are to recognize each other by the fruits, and not the pretty leaves. The fig trees in Palestine bear fruit first, and then the leaves, and so indeed the fig tree that Jesus cursed was false advertisement, because although it had leaves, it bore no fruit… Blessings to you!
If the root dies there can be no fruit.
Our roots MUST be firmly planted in THE TRUTH, in the Word of God, and all our sustenance drawn from there. THEN there WILL be fruit – abundant fruit.
We serve an amazing God!
Absolutely true… our roots must be firmly planted on the truth of God’s Word… Yes, we serve an amazing God Who gives us the sustenance through His Word to grow and develop, and enable us to bear fruit. Thank you for your insightful comments, and blessings to you!
Thank you so much for sharing this link, Carina! It is just beautiful! I love Andrea Bocelli. I wish you a wonderful and Merry Christmas!
thank you … and to you as well, a very Blessed Holiday Season 🙂
Very thought-provoking… it reminded of a Quaker statement ” that he who is a stranger to prayer…finds to his unspeakable loss, that a life without prayer is a life practically without God “
Thank you, Valerie. I am glad you found this post thought-provoking. And thank you for sharing that beautiful Quaker statement. So wonderfully and truthfully stated: truly, a life without prayer is practically a life without God.
A. W. Tozer’s works are outstanding. I possess some of his material. And I certainly enjoy reading this piece. It’s a confirmation to me that Father God desires that I become more close and intimate with Him. Thank you for sharing. Praise the Lord!
Thank you so much. A. W. Tozer’s works have made their imprint upon me, too. Praise God for your visit to my blog! I am blessed, and will certainly be visiting and be even more blessed when I read and learn from your posts. God bless you!