I have planted a garden in my backyard.  The seeds went into the ground almost two weeks ago, and the little green heads of the plants are just starting to break ground.  What exactly have they been doing all of this time, I ask myself?  Waiting for the right weather?  Canoodling each other?

They’ve been putting down roots.

The roots have to be well established before the stalk is formed, and the stalk has to be well established before the leaves unfurl, and the leaves have to unfurl before fruit can be born.  There is a natural order to these things, and that order must be observed for the plant to survive.

People are the same way.  You can’t judge them by their fruit before you see where their roots are.  You can’t expect them to be spreading out in faith to receive before their stalks have formed.  You’ve got to let them do things in the right order.  Allow me to explain.  Come with me.

A young girl enters your church, and by rumor you learn that she’s “living in sin”.  Now is not the time to approach her about her sin, though, is it?  She’s only been known to you for a few hours.  So you introduce yourself, you treat her warmly.  You and the other members of your church are now preparing the soil for her to take root in.  You need to foster an environment where she can grow, give her the “water” of the spirit and the “light” of the Son.  Perhaps now she chooses to plant herself in your congregation.

Do you now approach her?

No.

You give her time for her roots to harden off, and for her to put that stalk up from the soil and for those leaves to spread.  You expose her to the proper teachings, put her into a mentoring relationship with a trusted elder, you give her a chance to form friendships and become well and truly established in your garden.

Do you now approach her?

Test the waters, see what is there.  Has she been allowing herself to be discipled?  Showing signs of sincerity and change?  If so, a confrontation becomes uneccessary because God himself is tending to her.  Allow the process to complete.  Has she been questioning the precepts of faith?  Showing doubt or discomfort?  If so, a confrontation could nip her faith in the bud.  Allow time for her to warm and soften, and see where the process goes.

Is she professing to have faith and to be committed, but is in all ways the same as the day you met her?  If so, a confrontation is warranted, as if she is planted in good soil and in all ways showing that she should be fruitful, you should be able to find the fruit to judge.

But even then, the conversation should not progress like this;

PASTOR:  You are living in sin.

GIRL:  Excuse me?

PASTOR:  If you want to be a member of this church body you need to stop sinning.

The conversation should go more like;

PASTOR:  I’m wondering if you’re feeling like you’re getting what you need.

GIRL:  What do you mean?

PASTOR:  By this point most people would be showing signs of having grown into our community and becoming secure in their faith, but you don’t seem to have taken root.

GIRL:  That may be true.

PASTOR:  Why do you think that is?

And then listen- because she will most likely tell you exactly what the impediment is between her and faith.  And then you can help her remove it.

And she will take root.