Continuing from where we left last time, I want to emphasize
the truth how we, although born of the corruptible seed, can experience a 180
degree shift, when we are born of the incorruptible Seed- Jesus Christ. He, our
LORD, the only begotten Son of God, has made provision that we-of the human
race, can become sons of God, and partakers of the heavenly kingdom. We become
part of His family, and not only that, but we are heirs and co-heirs with
Christ reigning with Him.
I had also mentioned last time that we, as the receiver of
that Incorruptible Seed, have a responsibility toward that Seed. It will be foolish on the part of the farmer, if he does
nothing after sowing of the seed!
In order that he sees a bountiful harvest, a wise farmer would invest his time and effort to nourish and protect the seed. In the same way, the bountiful riches of God’s promises are found in that incorruptible Seed-Jesus Christ; but WE, as believers, have our responsibility as well.
Just as a plant needs a habitat, the nutrients of the soil, the water and air, for it to grow, so also the (Spirit) seed within us require a willing soul and a surrendered body, for it to grow and function to its full potential.
We know the life-story of the hen, and her chicks-she sits
on those delicate eggs for a full 21 days for it to hatch. And she can become
very protective, before the egg hatches and also after the chicks come out.
Similarly, the human baby, in the womb of a mother, is protected and nourished
for a full term of 280 days, before it arrives to see the world. Therefore we
must understand that the holy, incorruptible seed will not remain in just any
environment that you provide it with; and it cannot function well unless it
grows within you.
The wise Solomon, after building the temple, dedicated it
saying, “But will God indeed dwell with men on the earth? Behold, heaven and
the heaven of heavens cannot contain You. How much less this temple which I
have built!” (2 Chr. 6: 18). But look at the paradox in Ex. 25: 8, God saying: “And
let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them.” Indeed, God dwells
among His children.
The place where God dwelt-the sanctuary, had God’s specifications
“…according to all the pattern…” (Ex. 25:40): it had specific measurements,
specific materials and specific men of skill to make it. Everything about the
sanctuary reflected the glory of God.
Do you know God’s specifications for your life here on earth? Let it reflect the glory of God. The prophet Isaiah declared the coming of John the Baptist, who had a specific assignment: To prepare the way of the Lord. He had this ministry of repentance from sin; and John the Baptist fulfilled it just at the coming of Jesus. Jesus came for specific purposes: Jesus' name meant salvation and He fulfilled it.
(i)
Heart Habitat – Faith
The LORD of heaven and earth, took the form of a man, came
down to be born of a virgin, and in lowly manger. In the spiritual realm, what
this means to us is: Jesus is born to save those who simply, humbly believe!
Yes, all that is required to become a citizen of heaven is to have a heart of
faith, and a soul of repentance from sin.
Repentance is turning away from sin and turning toward God.
This is the time you believe in God’s Son-Jesus Christ, and receive the
forgiveness of your sins. This is the time you are born-again into the family
of God and become His children. This is the time you receive that Incorruptible
Seed. The gospel of Christ is the power of God to salvation for everyone who
believes… For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith;
as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” (Rom. 1: 16, 17)
Now faith is dynamic and grows, as it says, from faith to
faith. This is the faith that pleases God. But without faith it is impossible
to please Him… (Heb. 11:6)
We have seen examples of how faith can grow- from no faith
to little faith (O ye of little faith); from little faith to just faith (your
faith has made you well); from just faith to great faith ( O woman, great is
your faith)… This dynamic faith is the
right habitat we give to the Incorruptible Seed within us. As Paul says in Phi.
2: 12, “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling”. And Holy Spirit
helping us, we must develop this habitat of faith in our heart.
(ii)
Heart Soil – Singleness of mind toward God
Secondly, the soil of the heart matters for the seed to
grow. This I will describe as the singleness of mind and purpose toward God.
Once you have become a child of God, there is really only one way to go – His
way! If you still harbor the options between your way and His way, then you are
the captain of your own soul (and no better than a slave).
Jeremiah prophesies hope to the backslidden and ravaged Israel;
God saying thus: They shall be My people, and I will be their God; then I will
give them one heart and one way, that they may fear Me forever, for the good of
them and their children after them. [Jer. 32: 38, 39]
One heart-one way! Remember this in your days filled with
many issues from morning till evening- relationships, work, food, business,
rest, travel- so many issues that can grab our attention and hold us captive.
In all these, know that a singleness of mind toward God is of utmost importance.
Otherwise, it is easy to get distracted in our daily chores, so much so, that
we pause and listen to the Tempter whispering those similar words: Has God
really said….? You shall not surely die (it is not going to kill you)…; and
then that fatal lie, ‘you shall be like God!’
We know the instance when Peter walked on water. There was a
gathering storm around them; all his peers were safe in the boat. And then
there was Jesus, as calm as He is, walking on the water. The disciples’
emotions ran high with fear (of a ghost) to wonder and awe (knowing that it was
Jesus walking on the water). But then Peter too, took a step out of the boat at
Jesus word ‘Come’ and began walking on the water. As long as his eyes were focused
on Jesus, he continued walking on the water; but once he got distracted by the
storm and the rushing waves, he began to sink! (Matt. 14: 29) That is why it is
important to focus-fix our eyes on our Lord Jesus Christ- the author and
finisher of our faith.
The singleness of our mind toward God must reflect in our
everyday life, and our attitudes. And sometimes it may involve a waiting
period, and that maybe painful for some. We know the story of Job, how he
confessed: The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of
the LORD. (Job 1: 21) Job had lost everything about and around him-his
children, wealth and his own health. And the situation is worsened by some ‘miserable’
company of friends who condemn Job; and this goes on for the next 36 chapters
of the book Job. But the situation is entirely reversed when you come to the 42nd
chapter of Job. Isaiah writes about this waiting period too: But those who wait
on the LORD (in union with God) shall renew their strength… (Isa. 40: 31)
The theme (promise) of the year (from 2 Cor 3: 18) is about
change. And this too involves waiting period from glory to glory, in a life
transformation (metamorphosis). 2 Peter 1: 4 reaffirms that we are partakers of
the divine nature, because of the change. WE NEED CHANGE! As long as we are
human and alive here on earth, there must be some change happening on the
inside of us.
Our desires need change; our prayers need change; our thinking
needs change; our thinking on change needs change; our attitudes need change.
Beloved, let us therefore know that we are partakers of the
divine nature, because of the incorruptible Seed within us, and we have a
responsibility to keep our heart with all diligence-in faith and in a
singleness of mind toward God. Amen.
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