Each autumn leaves fall off trees and the trees look dead. But in the spring, the trees grow leaves again. Sap that makes trees grow was stored in the roots. The mystery of how trees spring to life year after year illustrates how God lives inside of those who accept Him. He gives us life to help us function as He desires. The Apostle Paul was explaining this mystery when he wrote this in Ephesians CH 3: “When I think of all this [meaning all God has done to give believers new life], I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. May you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. …Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.” Now we will never fully understand the mystery of Christ living inside of us, but we can rejoice in the truth, and draw nearer by trusting and obeying Him.
Dr. Melvin E. Banks, Sr. is the founder and chairman of UMI (Urban Ministries, Inc.). Under his direction, UMI has grown to be a leading publisher of Christian education resources for churches in the African American community. Read More
