Living Fully Rooted in Christ
Flourishing in Your New Identity—Ephesians 3 (Caught Between Two Worlds Series Part 6 of 6)
This is the final installment in the series, Caught Between Two Worlds. Thank you for coming along for the ride. Throughout we’ve explored what it means to find rest and strength in our identity in Christ. We’ve confronted the lies and patterns that keep us bound, allowing the Spirit to renew our minds and reshape our understanding of who we truly are. We’ve stepped into the freedom that Christ offers, tethered to God’s unchanging promises.
But now, having come this far, the question remains: how do we not just survive but truly flourish in this new identity?
The Search For Soul-Satisfying Stability
An old tree's roots twist deep into the soil, unaffected by winds buffeting branches above. The source of the tree's strength lies in these unseen depths, where its tangled tendrils strive for life, stability, and sustenance.
Just as the tree reaches for what it desires, we too long for something unseen to nourish and steady us. Sometimes, despite planting ourselves wholeheartedly in what seems right—our families, work, faith—we still feel an unshakable restlessness, leaving us to wonder if there's a more secure foundation to anchor us, something beyond our own efforts.
Paul's letter to the Ephesians addresses this human longing for security, revealing God's plan to unite believers as one in Christ. In Ephesians 3:14-19, Paul offers a progressive prayer, each part building upon the last, asking God to grant the believer’s in Ephesus strength, love, understanding, and fullness. In verses 16-17, he prays:
In Paul’s prayer, we see the answer to our search for soul-satisfying stability—a life grounded in the depths of God’s love. Paul’s words invite us to imagine what it means to be rooted and grounded in this love—a love that is strong enough to transform and sustain.
Rooted and Grounded in Love
The term "rooted" (ῥιζόω - rhizoo) in verse 17, employs agricultural imagery, portraying a tree with roots firmly anchored in soil. Notably, the Greek word for "rooted" is in perfect passive participle form, signifying the continuing result of a completed action.1 We do not establish our own roots; instead, God does. As theologian F.F. Bruce explains, this imagery implies that believers can grow and flourish when deeply embedded in God's love, much like a tree that derives strength from the nourishing soil surrounding its foundation.
Conversely, Paul’s use of "grounded" (θεμελιόω - themelioo) introduces an architectural perspective. This term refers to a solid foundation, much like the base of a building. It conveys the idea that our lives are built upon an unshakable foundation—Christ’s love. F.F. Bruce notes that this architectural metaphor underscores the stability necessary for spiritual growth, reinforcing the notion that our lives, like well-built structures, remain steadfast when grounded in the love of Christ.2
In the soil of God’s love, we are both nourished and stabilized. Whether we envision ourselves as trees drawing life from fertile soil or buildings standing firm on a solid foundation, both images remind us that our strength and stability come from God's unwavering love not our achievements, abilities or affiliations.
Living from a Place of Rootedness
Being "rooted and grounded in love" empowers us to live differently. Knowing that our foundation is secured by Christ, we can face life with resilience and grace. Instead of striving to prove our worth, we rest in the knowledge that our worth is already established in him.
Dr. Steven Graves3 explains that flourishing is about "growing strong like a thriving tree, deeply rooted in faith, and resilient in all seasons of life." He emphasizes that "true flourishing involves integrity, love, respect, and cultivating a long-term view of our purpose and impact on others." When we live from a place of rootedness in God’s love, we develop the spiritual tenacity needed to navigate life’s challenges while staying anchored in what truly matters.
But what does this look like in our everyday lives?
When we embrace this truth, it begins to permeate every facet of our existence. Instead of living to earn God’s love—which leads to anxiety, exhaustion, and a constant feeling of inadequacy—we rest in the assurance that we are already unconditionally loved as illustrated in the chart comparing striving and resting below.
With this newfound freedom we:
make decisions with confidence, trusting in God’s guidance rather than being swayed by fear or the need to please others
cultivate authentic relationships—loving others genuinely, setting healthy boundaries, forgiving readily, and serving selflessly
face challenges with calm confidence, knowing God is with us; our security is no longer dictated by circumstances
let go of perfectionism and embrace growth without fear of failure
delight in prayer and worship that deepen our relationship with God.
naturally, generously overflow with God’s abundant love, leading us to serve others joyfully
Flourishing Together in Community
Being rooted in God’s love is not just an individual experience—it’s a communal one. Just as a forest thrives through its interconnected trees, we flourish when linked to others in the body of Christ. These relationships become channels of God’s love, through which we bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2).
This interconnected support system strengthens the entire body of Christ, creating a community where each member can thrive. By sharing in each other’s struggles and joys, we embody the unity and compassion that reflect God’s design for his beautiful community.
An Invitation to Flourish
Rootedness in God’s love is an invitation to live fully and flourish. Flourishing means living from a place of deep-rooted security in God’s love, allowing his life to flow through us and bear fruit as we choose joy in the face of trials, extend grace in difficult times, and live with a sense of eternal purpose that transcends life's temporary ups and downs.
Flourishing doesn’t mean the absence of hardship. When trials come, God's anchoring enables us to grow deep and wide, just as the roots of a tree spread to find water and nutrients. As we embrace this rooted life, we reflect the strength that comes from being anchored in God's love.
When we realize our foundation is firmly established by God’s hand, not our own, we’re freed from the pressure of working for worth or identity. Instead, we live from the posture of one who knows they are seen, forgiven, and held by a love that never fails.
Where are your roots planted? Are they firmly established in God’s unshakable love, or tangled in the shifting sands of circumstance?
Caught Between Two Worlds (Story Finale )
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6
A Life Caught Between Two Worlds
As she steps outside, a gentle breeze rustles the leaves around her, and the laughter of children playing nearby fills the air. This once-distant community is no longer just a backdrop in her life. It’s become a tangible source of support, reminding her that she is not alone. The warmth of friendship—people who share in her journey—as she navigates the space between the now and not yet on her journey of faith.
She walks toward a small gathering of friends, their voices drawing her in. And though she shares in their joy, there is an awareness that she is still caught between two worlds—the present world and the promised one to come. The connection they share is real, a foretaste of something deeper, something only fully realized when Christ returns.
For now, she embraces both the joy of being rooted in Christ with this community and the longing for the future fulfillment of all things. Her faith rests in the one who has rooted her in his love. She is held, anchored, and secure until the day when all is made complete in him.
Good News
It's good news that because of Jesus, we are firmly rooted and grounded in God's unshakable love. Through his life, death, and resurrection, he has anchored us securely, that we might flourish and live confidently in our new identity.
Series Resources
Flourishing: Why Some People Thrive and Others Just Survive By Dr. Steven Graves
Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero—Break free from unhealthy patterns and live from a place of spiritual health.
The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness by Tim Keller
New Morning Mercies by Paul David Tripp
Suffering and the Heart of God by Dr. Diane Langberg
Renovation of the Heart by Dallas Willard
Eat This Book by Eugene Peterson
The Cross of Christ by John Stott
Series Links
This is Part 6 of the 6-part series, Caught Between Two Worlds.
Caught Between Two Worlds: Finding Rest in Your Identity in Christ
Shedding What Doesn’t Last: Embracing Your True Identity in Christ
The Metamorphosis of Your Mind: Surrendering to the Spirit's Work in Shaping Your Identity
Walking in the Freedom of Christ: Your Identity Beyond Circumstance
Living Fully Rooted in Christ: Flourishing in Your New Identity