LIFE IN A SMALL PACKAGE
Luke 8:11 "This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God." (NIV)
Seeds may be eaten as food, but their primary purpose is to reproduce the life of the organism, in another place at another time. The Word of God is seed: it contains truth which is the spiritual genetic material of God's kingdom. Wherever, and whenever, it takes root in a human heart, the characteristics of God's heart are formed in that person. Without it, nobody can enter His kingdom.
Horticulturalists get the best qualities for a crop by selective breeding programmes; and animals are bred for a high meat or milk yield. The secret is in the seed. The genes are the truth of the species and, if uncorrupted, will reproduce its distinctive features. In the same way, those who allow God's Word to penetrate their heart, will find that it starts to redefine their desires and passions. Although it may be well presented by a fine preacher or author, the essence of truth is God's alone, and His purpose is to bring it to life in whoever is willing to hear and believe what He says.
God uses His Word to recreate broken lives: indeed there is no other way to be reformed into the image of God. His Word has the extraordinary power to dissect through the mixed motives of our tangled minds (Hebrews 4:12). It may be transmitted on paper, by word, on TV and through the internet. It may be on a shelf, contained in a tract, in a memorable conversation. It never goes stale and will still have the same impact many years after it is written, translated or printed. Under the direction of the Holy Spirit, the Word read or heard may ricochet around someone's mind until they choose to submit to God. If we really believe that, surely we will spread the Word like a farmer scatters seed. Aim to have Gospel conversations, give away tracts of Scripture, invite friends to hear a Biblical preacher, write an appropriate verse in greetings cards and letters ... and above all, keep on being transformed by it (Romans 12:2).
Horticulturalists get the best qualities for a crop by selective breeding programmes; and animals are bred for a high meat or milk yield. The secret is in the seed. The genes are the truth of the species and, if uncorrupted, will reproduce its distinctive features. In the same way, those who allow God's Word to penetrate their heart, will find that it starts to redefine their desires and passions. Although it may be well presented by a fine preacher or author, the essence of truth is God's alone, and His purpose is to bring it to life in whoever is willing to hear and believe what He says.
God uses His Word to recreate broken lives: indeed there is no other way to be reformed into the image of God. His Word has the extraordinary power to dissect through the mixed motives of our tangled minds (Hebrews 4:12). It may be transmitted on paper, by word, on TV and through the internet. It may be on a shelf, contained in a tract, in a memorable conversation. It never goes stale and will still have the same impact many years after it is written, translated or printed. Under the direction of the Holy Spirit, the Word read or heard may ricochet around someone's mind until they choose to submit to God. If we really believe that, surely we will spread the Word like a farmer scatters seed. Aim to have Gospel conversations, give away tracts of Scripture, invite friends to hear a Biblical preacher, write an appropriate verse in greetings cards and letters ... and above all, keep on being transformed by it (Romans 12:2).
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