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Christ’s Object Lessons
remaineth, seed-time and harvest ... shall not cease.”
Genesis 8:22
. In
the confidence of this promise the husbandman tills and sows. Not
less confidently are we in the spiritual sowing to labor, trusting His
assurance, “So shall My word be that goeth forth out of My mouth;
it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which
I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”
Isaiah
55:11
. “He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall
doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”
Psalm 126:6
.
The germination of the seed represents the beginning of spiritual
life, and the development of the plant is a beautiful figure of Christian
growth. As in nature, so in grace; there can be no life without growth.
The plant must either grow or die. As its growth is silent and imper-
ceptible, but continuous, so is the development of the Christian life.
At every stage of development our life may be perfect; yet if God’s
purpose for us is fulfilled, there will be continual advancement. Sanc-
tification is the work of a lifetime. As our opportunities multiply, our
experience will enlarge, and our knowledge increase. We shall become
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strong to bear responsibility, and our maturity will be in proportion to
our privileges.
The plant grows by receiving that which God has provided to
sustain its life. It sends down its roots into the earth. It drinks in the
sunshine, the dew, and the rain. It receives the life-giving properties
from the air. So the Christian is to grow by co-operating with the
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divine agencies. Feeling our helplessness, we are to improve all the
opportunities granted us to gain a fuller experience. As the plant takes
root in the soil, so we are to take deep root in Christ. As the plant
receives the sunshine, the dew, and the rain, we are to open our hearts
to the Holy Spirit. The work is to be done “not by might, nor by power,
but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.”
Zechariah 4:6
. If we keep
our minds stayed upon Christ, He will come unto us “as the rain, as
the latter and former rain unto the earth.”
Hosea 6:3
. As the Sun of
Righteousness, He will arise upon us “with healing in His wings.”
Malachi 4:2
. We shall “grow as the lily.” We shall “revive as the corn,
and grow as the vine.”
Hosea 14:5, 7
. By constantly relying upon
Christ as our personal Saviour, we shall grow up into Him in all things
who is our head.