Lessons Of Growth From Nature

And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; and should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come. (Mark 4:26–29)

In Scripture the seed represents the word of God. It is also likened to the kingdom of heaven. (See Luke 8:11; Matthew 13:31.) For the purpose of illustration, we can also say the seed is that “measure of faith” placed within the soul of every human being. (See Romans 12:3.)

God has enfolded within the seed a power to bring forth life as it partakes of the elements of rain, sunshine, and nutrients from the soil. In the spiritual world, God’s purpose is that the seed of faith would break forth from within the cold, hard soil of man’s heart, and that it would grow and blossom and bear fruit in the life. For God, from the foundation of the world, has chosen each person to “be conformed to the image of His Son” (Romans 8:29).

By His grace, manifested through the work of the Holy Spirit, God has given to us all the elements necessary for the seed of faith within us to bring forth life. As the earth, under the watch-care and blessing of God, brings forth vegetation for the sustenance of man and beast, so also there is potential within each human being for the seed of faith to blossom and bear fruit leading to salvation and eternal life in Christ.

This growth of grace develops along a steady line of progression: first the blade, then the developing ear, then the full corn in the ear, followed by the fully ripened mature grain, and then the harvest.

In the pages that follow, we will seek to understand how the Holy Spirit brings to life and nurtures the seed within our heart, how we can recognize the Spirit’s work, and what that work is in our heart and life. Jesus told us that the enemy has come to sow bad seed, and that there is a false spirit. (See Matthew 13:39; 2 Corinthians 11:4.) Only by studying the Scriptures can we know what is truth. May we prepare our souls to receive the Holy Spirit so that He may “reprove [convince] of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment” and “guide you into all truth” so the name of Christ may be glorified in us (John 16:8, 13).

If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? (Luke 11:11–13)

Humanity, both the evil and the just, usually have great love for their children and friends. That love is often expressed in gifts. Sometimes a gift is given with great sacrifice and toil. If we, who are so fallen from God, can be motivated by love to give gifts to our children, how much more and in a far greater degree shall the Father of us all give gifts to His children?

However, this gift of the Spirit is only given to those who ask for it. Many in the world earnestly desire this wonderful gift; however, God has given a condition to receiving the gift. The Father is not unwilling to fulfill His promise; rather, He desires that His gift not be misused. And what is this condition?

And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey Him. (Acts 5:32)

This obedience is to be progressive and growing, just as the seed cast into the earth progresses in stages. This growth begins in man as the mind responds to the wooing of the Spirit of God. The Spirit’s work is to draw the heart of man to Christ. If man yields at this point, the Spirit has even greater ability to bring about the conversion of the soul. In the midst of this, the Spirit brings us the gift of repentance, which is sorrow for sin accompanied by a desire and purpose to turn away from evil. The Spirit continues to move upon man, and man must respond in obedience motivated by a growing love and understanding of Christ and spiritual things.

The Spirit works to bring about surrender and trust centered in Christ. Man must accept, through the obedience of faith, the cleansing and renewing of his life. The apparently lifeless seed, the measure of faith, has sprung forth. He has now developed into the small blade. He is born again, even as in nature the lifeless seed cast into the ground sprouts and breaks through the soil, seeking life through the sun, soil, and water.

Nature’s growth and bounties all come about by the merciful hand of the Son of righteousness. As with the sprouted seed, so with us. Life in the Spirit has only begun; the potential of the newly sprouted plant is to grow and mature. So it is with man, for it is God’s purpose that he grow and bear fruit. (See Ephesians 1:4.) The receiving of the Spirit that will continue the growth is dependent upon a consistent obedience to the revelation of truth and duty, made possible as the “love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us” (Romans 5:5).

2007 © David Wilson/Bible Alive Ministries

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