How deep are your roots?

so this weekend the question was asked... not only how deep do your roots go but " are your roots in the spring of life? "

Doug used an illustration from a sermon from Spurgeon about a palm tree... when its roots are below the ground taking all it needs from the water below and its leaves above in the blistering sun it is in its element... are we like that in this life? are we rooted in the waters of Christ and our heads out in the world taking the abuse that so often comes when you believe?

following this was a message that was shared the same night from James that i would like to share. here are seven points that Doug raised that are relevant and I think need to be shared with my loyal readers (if there are any????)

James 2:26

• Saving faith has a pulse...
  Jesus being Lord is esteeming him as our greatest treasure.

• Saving faith pants...
  Those who have experienced God thirst & hunger after him.
  Blessed are those who hunger after Him!
  As Martin Loyd Jones said... " if I have Christ I have it all"

• Saving faith is pliable...
  As we turn to Christ are we clay in the potters hands?
  If the Bible shows you something we need to change ... Saving faith is also submissive.
  Christ will have his way

• Saving faith is public...
  It is something that is shared with others.
  It should be noticeable by others.
  Matt 5:16 "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

• Saving faith pursues purity ...
  It hates sin!
  Its not only intellectual ... "repent & believe" its very much a heart attitude!

• Saving faith perseveres...
  It grows, it never stops.
  It is the power of God unto salvation ... Always.

• Saving faith is not presumptuous...
  When q person sees how deep the sin is, we won't take anything for granted.
  It examines itself & then does the work of change.
  Do we have a fake or pirated version of faith?
  Because it is not presumptuous it isn't shattered when some don't follow.

• Saving faith comes from a process ...
  It comes from the word of God, it all starts somewhere...
  When you get saved you just keep coming ...
  Just because we don't know what God is doing under the surface, keep swinging the gospel axe!

so there you have it... what saving faith looks like. as I type this I realise that I fall short on some of these points. thank goodness there is a process...