“Like a Grain of Mustard Seed”
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heathenism of imperial Rome. See Martin Luther withstanding that
mighty church which is the masterpiece of the world’s wisdom. See
him holding fast God’s word against emperor and pope, declaring,
“Here I take my stand; I can not do otherwise. God be my help.” See
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John Wesley preaching Christ and His righteousness in the midst of
formalism, sensualism, and infidelity. See one burdened with the woes
of the heathen world, pleading for the privilege of carrying to them
Christ’s message of love. Hear the response of ecclesiasticism: “Sit
down, young man. When God wants to convert the heathen, He will
do it without your help or mine.”
The great leaders of religious thought in this generation sound the
praises and build the monuments of those who planted the seed of truth
centuries ago. Do not many turn from this work to trample down the
growth springing from the same seed today? The old cry is repeated,
“We know that God spake unto Moses; as for this fellow [Christ in the
messenger He sends], we know not from whence he is.”
John 9:29
. As
in earlier ages, the special truths for this time are found, not with the
ecclesiastical authorities, but with men and women who are not too
learned or too wise to believe the word of God.
“For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men
after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called; but God
hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and
God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things
which are mighty. And base things of the world, and things which are
despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring
to naught things that are” (
1 Corinthians 1:26-28
); “that your faith
should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God” (
1
Corinthians 2:5
).
And in this last generation the parable of the mustard seed is to
reach a signal and triumphant fulfillment. The little seed will become a
tree. The last message of warning and mercy is to go to “every nation
and kindred and tongue” (
Revelation 14:6-14
), “to take out of them
a people for His name” (
Acts 15:14
;
Revelation 18:1
). And the earth
shall be lightened with His glory.
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