On grafts and growing

"Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls." James 1:21


Now I don't claim to be educated in Bible school- I studied physics and (later) business. I don't think I have ever taught a Bible verse to anyone over the age of 10. I have only spoken at a ladies' fellowship once-- and that was about morning glories-- yet I am not much of a gardener. But this passage has stuck with me like none before. Simply read as an illustration in our Sunday School class, it really pushed me. "The engrafted word..."


A quick Google turned up Wikipedia (which I realize is not the utmost authority on all things, but will do fine for a simple definition!) : "In most cases, one plant is selected for its roots, and this is called the stock or rootstock. The other plant is selected for its stems, leaves, flowers, or fruits and is called the scion. The scion contains the desired genes to be duplicated in future production by the stock/scion plant."

So we are the rootstock, the teachings of God the scion. When grown together, the new plant will produce something new, something more desirious than the rootstock would have developed on its own. The beautiful thing is that as roostock, we have the most compassionate Gardener ever. God himself sees our position as rootstock-- open to change and ready to accept a Christ-filled scion. So the pruning and engraftment begins. Our destiny instantly changed from that of the self-fulfilling rootstock plant. Whithered fruit of disappointment, born on hollow, thorned branches of unfulfillment are neatly snipped away. Deftly removed just above the foundation that holds the solid soul. In its place, the perfect, pure, brilliant sinless scion. Selected for what it will bear, the branches heavy with the Fruit of the Spirit. The very marrow dripping with the love of God Himself.


Another visit to our online encylcopedia will show that the most important time for the future of the new hybridized plant are the days immediately following the engraftment. Careful precautions must be taken to ensure that the site is protected until the rootstock fully accepts the scion as its own and begins to grow anew. New Christians we are very much the same way. The start of a relationship with Christ marks a turing point in a person's life. Much like the rootstock has given up it's former identity, we are reborn-

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" II Corinthians 5:17.

It is equally impossible to be in Christ and remain unchanged as it is for the engrafted plant to bear the fruit of its original rootstock. This does not happen over night any more for the new Christian than it does for the new plant. The site of engraftment on the stalk of a plant is wrapped, supported, fertilized and carefully monitored for any trace of infection, rejection or weakness. The watchful eye of the gardener keeping careful note of anything amiss. "Old things" pass away over time. Change can be tough and the tug to return to old habits can be powerful. Plants don't face rejection from their former rootstock friends (or at least I don't think they do,) but certainly this weighs on someone after the initial exhiliration of a newfound relationship with Christ wears off. God has provided the local church to act as the wrap for the engraftment site- the heart of the newborn Christian. Building each other up in love is the reason for fellowship. To pray, to support, to laugh and encourage. To bear each others burdens as though they were our own. "Plant" yourself firmly at the feet of God and let him tend your soul. Be deliberate about seeking out fellow engrafted folks and see if we can't all nurture each other in this rocky soil of life. After all, we are all hybrids in the Lord's beautiful garden-- just waiting for his glorious harvest.