Keep your “roots” grounded like a Tree. Having “Come to Know God”—What Now? ~ ?????

[Bible Speaks]

Keep your “roots” grounded like a Tree. Having “Come to Know God”—What Now?

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Our first step was to take in knowledge, which led to our having faith. But we need to keep taking in knowledge and keep making our faith stronger. (2 Thessalonians 1:3) After our baptism, our relationship with God needs to keep growing and getting stronger.

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This is similar to the way a tree grows. It is amazing to see how tall a tree can grow, especially when its roots are strong. For example, some of the beautiful cedars of Lebanon can be as tall as a building that has 12 floors. They can be so big that a rope 12 meters (40 feet) long would stretch around just one of them. (Song of Solomon 5:15) 

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A tree grows very quickly at first. As the roots grow deeper and reach farther away from the tree, the trunk grows wider and taller. Later, it is not so easy to see the tree grow. It is similar with our progress as Christians. We may make many changes when we first start studying the Bible. Then we get baptized. Others in the congregation notice how we are progressing in the truth. We might start to pioneer or get other assignments in the congregation. As time goes on, it may not be so easy for others to see the progress we are making in the truth. But we all need to keep growing in knowledge and faith until we are like “a full-grown man,” that is, until we are what a mature Christian should be. (Ephesians 4:13) So when we make progress as a Christian, we are like a tiny seedling that grows into a strong tree. 

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But our progress should not stop there. Our knowledge of GodÂ’s Word and our faith are like roots that keep us strong and unmovable. Those roots need to keep getting stronger. (Proverbs 12:3) There are many brothers and sisters who continue to make this kind of progress. One brother who has been an elder for more than 30 years said that he is still making progress. He says that he appreciates the Bible now more than ever. He keeps learning new ways that the Bible can help a person to make decisions, and he enjoys being in the ministry more and more.

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THE STEPS THAT WE TAKE TO KNOW GOD CAN HELP US TO KEEP PROGRESSING
We start “taking in knowledge” of Jehovah and his Son, Jesus Christ.—John 17:3
Our faith increases as we learn about God.—John 3:16
We pray to Jehovah regularly.—Acts 2:21
We start to associate with the congregation.—Hebrews 10:24, 25
We repent of our sins.—Acts 17:30
We stop our sinful way of life and stop bad habits and conduct.—Acts 3:19
We start to speak to others about the truth.—2 Corinthians 4:13
We dedicate ourselves to Jehovah in order to follow Jesus properly.—1 Peter 4:2
We get baptized in water.—1 Peter 3:21

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SOME EXPRESSIONS EXPLAINED
To know God: To have a close friendship with God after we learn what kind of Person he is
To be known by God: To have GodÂ’s love and approval because we are his friends
To grow: To make progress as a Christian. Both new Christians and mature Christians need to continue to grow
To dedicate yourself to God: To promise Jehovah that you will serve him forever

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https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/402013204?q=roots&p=par