The Incorruptible Seed

(Message by Bro. Samuel Cherian. Happy reading!)

Today, I want to share on the Incorruptible Seed-Jesus Christ, dwelling in our hearts. From our experience of being born-again, we know of Jesus as our personal Savior-and Him dwelling in our hearts. From His promise, we also know that we have the Holy Spirit dwelling in our hearts, and that we are the temple of the Holy Spirit.

Reading through the Scriptures, this verse from John caught my spirit’s attention; “Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.” [1 John 3:9] Now what is that “seed” remaining in us?

From the Parable of the Sower in Matt. 13, we also know that the seed is the word of God. And there the heart of man is typified as the soil. And reading from the first chapter of John’s gospel, John 1:1 says: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And verse John 1:14 continues: And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

The word ‘seed’ appears many times in the New Testament; and in more than 95% of these cases, the word ‘seed’ means a physical seed that a farmer takes up to sow.  But in 1 John 3:9, the word ‘seed’ derives from the root word ‘sperma’ (meaning sperm) and pertaining to biological life; with all the DNA characteristics of the originator that influences and defines the receiver-whether it be his looks, character, health and even thinking.

In the plan of God, man was created in the image of God. Adam and Eve, with all the in-built characteristics of God’s perfection, were deceived by the Devil, and could not keep that one command given to them. And the seed in them became corrupted. And that corruption was transferred from generation to generation, through the seed, and continues even today. God, who made everything beautiful and saw and said that it was good, was sorry that He had made man on the earth (Gen. 6: 6). 

But the good news is that God’s promise preceded his grieving! In Gen. 3:15, long before the corruption of the seed was complete, we find God’s blue-print of correction through another Seed-that of a woman, even our Lord Jesus Christ.

And though we have inherited characteristics of the corrupted seed, the incorruptible Seed is sure to triumph, for it says: He (the Incorruptible Seed) shall bruise your head (of corrupted seed). Luke 1 lists the genealogy of Jesus Christ-42 generations of the corrupted seed; some were heroes of faith, but there were others ignoble and then others with a bad reputation. But the conclusion of the matter is found in Luke 1:35-Jesus is born by the power of the Highest and of the Holy Spirit; He is the Holy One, the Son of God. “For with God nothing will be impossible.” (v37)

The natural genealogy of the flesh and of the corrupted seed is now up against the spiritual genealogy of those who would believe in Jesus, receive Jesus as that incorruptible Seed, and become the children of God (John 1: 12) through faith. And to those who have trusted in Jesus, suddenly, the natural genealogy ceases to matter, whether it is good or bad. The expectation of a ‘good’ life in the flesh, through the corrupt seed, is no more a priority-as we focus on that incorruptible inheritance, because of the spiritual Seed within us. (1 Peter 1: 4).

What a great privilege for us! Not only do we have an incorruptible heritage (as children of God), an incorruptible inheritance (with a citizenship in heaven-Phil. 3:20), but we also have an inherited name from God-belonging to Christ (Eph. 3: 14, 15).

I remember during my younger days singing along this old Hindi film song: ‘Jeena yahan, marna yahan; iske siva jaana kahan’ (we live here, we die here (on earth); where else do we go?) The song had a catchy tune and I found no harm then; but now I realize that’s really a big joke from the Mera Naam Joker!). What a deceit of the enemy in this world song that we sing! The word song says something quite different: Behind the blue skies, we go to a place, where my Jesus stays! Yes, we do not belong here on earth; our citizenship is of heaven.

A citizenship in heaven is not granted according to one’s royal pedigree or high qualifications; it is not granted based on sporting skill or technical competence; it is not even given for any usefulness of whatever the corrupted seed can throw up. But a citizenship in heaven is open to one and all; by the grace of God and His gift of faith. “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” [Matt. 16:26] Anyone can know Him-from the least to the greatest; Mary Magdalene knew Him, Simon the leper knew Him, the thief on the cross knew Him-yes, the despised of this world had a turnabout when they met Him.

But there is also a responsibility on our part, when we receive the incorruptible Seed. If you let the seed lie dormant within you, it will remain as it is. But as the good ground (and soil) of your heart, nurture the seed and see it grow. But I will talk about this responsibility on our part, when I share the word again.

But today, let the Incorruptible Seed-our Lord Jesus Christ grant you to know the incorruptible heritage, incorruptible inheritance and the inherited eternal name that we have in Him. God Bless you. Amen.