Integrity of God’s Word

Message by Bro. Vijay Awale. Happy scattering! 

The time you spend meditating on God’s word is a reflection of the joy in you and it gives meaning to what we experience in ourselves. You will find that God’s word is pure, true, dependable and perfect. Let me continue with a parable of Jesus from Mark 4:26-29 (also given in Matt. 13 and Luke 8). Jesus is talking about the growth of His kingdom, and about sowing the seed. It is clear that Jesus is dwelling on the theme of God’s word as seed, as we see in Mark 4:14 “The sower sows the word.” So, the parable prompts us to learn spiritual truths from natural things.

And He said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground, and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how. For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head. But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”

No know how

“…the seed should sprout and grow-he himself does not know how” – these words are significant, I believe. We have been meditating on change verses in the Bible in this year 2012. Change is so linked to the seed-the word of God. If you ask me how the word of God (or the Bible) can change any person, I’ll answer I do not know. (he himself does not know how). But if you ask me, whether the word of God can bring change in any person, I’ll say it does-100 %. Just like the seed producing fruit. Yes, the word of God brings about change; It works-that is all I know.

As we dwell on God’s word, we find, our perceptions, attitudes and our entire character taking shape in a new way. I do not know how, but I know IT WORKS.

No fleshly role

“…for the earth yields crops by itself.” – again look at these words. Think about the change in you, since you became a follower of Jesus Christ. What role have you played in shaping your own character? Nothing. Just as the earth is designed to connect with seed and make it grow, the word of God is designed to connect with your heart, and make you grow spiritually. Just as the seed sprout and grow in the earth, the word of God grows inside of you, bringing about changes in your very soul. You may do nothing to your soul, but IT WORKS.

Know the right place

The right place to receive God’s word is your heart; just as the earth yields crop for the seed. If we receive God’s word only in our ears, is it any wonder spiritual growth becomes stunted? And I have also come across those who keep Bible in their living room book-shelves, and think that it will bring some change to the house. And those ones crazy and scared-to-death of ghosts, keeping the Bible under the pillow! I tell you, this is not the right place; and it hardly helps your faith.

But, put the word of God in your heart and it WORKS.

Know that there are stages of growth

“first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head…”

Why should anyone imagine the moment they are born-again, that they will have a huge and grand ministry like Benny Hinn or Joyce Meyer? They watch on TV the miracles and signs and wonders, and the huge crowds, and then think it is just one step to that kind of ministry. I tell you, this is to do with your own fleshly thoughts more than anything else. I sure believe there is a calling for each one of us, and each one’s calling is unique and important in the body of Christ. But, to attain to spiritual maturity, God has designed stages of growth, just as in the case of the seed. First the blade, then the head and then the grain…

To run the spiritual race, first start the race (as children of God), then add hope (of things to come), then faith (through triumph in trials) and then you will have the crown (of glory)-the harvest has come!

Know that there is Testing for every Teaching

In continuation of Jesus teaching, we must also read Mark 4:35-40. Jesus had taught these things to His disciples, all day speaking in parables. He spoke about 10 parables in a single day, relating them to the kingdom of God and His ways. And He explained all these parables to His disciples (v34).

On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.”

This was God’s word to the disciples: we will cross over to the other side. And it was left to them to take it into their hearts or to hear and just go on.

And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”

I can easily imagine myself, in that boat with Jesus and His disciples. And I can also identify with their question: “Do you not care, God?” How many times have we asked the same question to God, in the windstorms of our own life? I can also imagine Jesus get up, and hearing Him speak to the storm: “Peace, be still!” Oh, yes, my heart is thrilled. But then, I cringe somewhat, when He turns and say, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”

But deep in my heart, I know He is the Truth; and that He is speaking the truth. I know, many don’t like it when the truth is spoken-and especially when it hurts. Others may say, it is the truth, but the timing is wrong. But God’s word encourages us to always speak the truth (Eph. 4:25). The disciples got it all wrong when they questioned Jesus, “Do you not care that we are perishing?” Probably they expected Him, as their Leader, to help them somehow, and also give an explanation why He was asleep! But, you don’t expect Jesus to say, “ah! Sorry, fellas. It was just that the preaching all day got to me and I was tired; I went to sleep. I’ll take better care of you, next time!” – NO!

Jesus had done all that He had to, perfectly. His part was to TEACH; and theirs-to PRACTICE. My friends, I tell you, God has already done all that is needed, and He has given to you all that you’ve ever needed-all His wonderful promises, and His own presence. But the things that He has taught you all along, is in the SEED-FORM: it is for you to take it, and scatter those seed in your heart, allow it to WORK DEEP-and then IT WORKS. You can be sure of that-it works!

Heaven and earth will pass away, but the words of Jesus, by no means shall pass away. The word of God, scattered, will move the mountains. The word of God, in your heart, will sprout and grow: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain on the head. But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come! Happy graining!