Taking Root
TAKING ROOT
Read Romans 6:1-2, 11-14.
Isaiah stopped to wipe the sweat from his face. “Let’s take a break.”
Grandpa dropped his hoe. “Sounds good!”
They walked around the garden. A row of peas was sprouting where Grandpa had planted them a few weeks earlier. Otherwise the garden was still full of weeds.
“Weeds grow in a hurry,” Grandpa said.
“Why did God make weeds?” asked Isaiah.
“They’re the result of sin,” said Grandpa. “Farmers need to destroy weeds to keep them from spoiling their crops. In the same way, we have to get rid of the sinful things in our lives so they don’t take over!”
“What do you mean?” asked Isaiah.
Grandpa pulled a tall weed. “I have a temper,” he said. “My temper is like this weed. It has tough roots and grows fast. It could take over my life and cause me to be angry all the time.”
Isaiah thought for a minute. “I’m not always nice to Jennifer,” he confessed. “That’s like a weed, too, isn’t it?” Grandpa nodded. “So what can I do about it?” asked Isaiah.
“First tell God,” advised Grandpa. “Ask Him to forgive you and help you to be the kind of brother He wants you to be.” Grandpa sat down on a bench near the garden. “Then you need to ask Jennifer to forgive you.”
Isaiah sat down next to him. “That’s almost harder than asking God to forgive me. But I know you’re right. If I really mean it when I tell God I’m sorry, He’ll help me apologize to Jennifer, too.”
HOW ABOUT YOU?
Is there a weed that you need to remove from your life? Do you have a bad temper? A habit of disobeying? Whatever it is, seek God’s forgiveness first. Then ask for forgiveness from anyone you’ve hurt.
TO MEMORIZE:
Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires.
Romans 6:12
CONFESS SIN.
From the book
