When you think of a seed, do you think about the life that is contained inside the tiny package.? It's just a hard, shriveled up casing that isn't too impressive.
Words are similar to seeds. The word "bodacious" doesn't say too much by itself. However, when you apply the word to your soulmate, it takes on something precious. "My wife is bodacious."
Jesus tells a parable in Mark 4. He says that a sower goes out to sow seed. By themselves, one seed isn't much. However, scattered in good soil, one tiny seed yields 100 times itself. Why? Because the seed contains the essentials of life. Jesus goes on to explain that the seed represented the Word of God. Yes, there's life in the word of God.
The Real Word Is Life
The Apostle John calls Jesus, the word. When he spoke in Genesis 1, life as we know it began. He spoke everything into existence. Again John says, ". . .apart from him nothing came into being that has come into being" (1:3b).Not only did he create life initially, he brought life with him when he came into the world. He spoke life. The words he used still contain life.2000 years later. John says of him, "In him was life, and the life was the light of men" (1:4).
Jesus said that the word was the seed. There's life in the seed. Therefore, it seems logical that to use the words of Jesus brings life to the world.
Reconciliation
I'm not much into religious terms. However, Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:18 that God reconciled us to himself through Christ. It helps then to know what that word means.Reconcile means to change mutually. God changed you to be just like Jesus. A simple way of saying this is that he gave you a divine nature.
He gave you a nature just like Christ's. Paul said in verse 17 of this chapter that you had been given a new nature. Jesus made you a new "creature."
Not only did he change you to be like Jesus, but he gave you the ministry of telling others how they too can get a divine nature just like yours. The life remains in the seed even today! He gave you the word and ministry of reconciliation.
No Trespasses
Have you ever thought, I can't tell someone else about Jesus? I have sin in my life. How can I tell someone else to get the sin out of their life?Paul says, "Your sin is taken care of. Namely that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them" (2 Corinthians 5:19a).
Why does God keep no record of sin? Two reasons:
1. If you aren't in Christ, haven't been reconciled or changed to a divine nature, God doesn't have to keep a record of your sin. You're hopelessly lost!2. If you are in Christ, been reconciled or changed into a divine nature, you are eternally kept. God says,"Their iniquities and trespasses I have taken and cast into the middle of my great big nowhere (Jeremiah 31:34).
Again, the life is in the seed. If you have the seed living in you, you have life! There's no need to keep a record of your sin or trespasses.
Putting It Together
Words contain life because they are seeds. Jesus came into the world as the word. He demonstrated how life could be obtained. He set the example of life lived by allowing God to direct your every move. God through the Holy Spirit shows you the road to life. Not only this, but he gives life to others through you.
Your ministry, directed by the Holy Spirit, brings life to others that you meet along the way. Also, living your life by the life of another allows you to experience the abundant life while you rest. No, you don't get to sit and watch the world go by. Rest means complete. Your ministry will be complete because the Holy Spirit directs you.
I'm here to help. If you have questions or comments, please leave them below. I'll get back soon.
Blessings,
Howard
PS: two things I would love for you to check out:
1. My free study on REST. Go here and ask for my free study.
2. My new novel, The Red-Haired Master Shepherd. Go here.
Who You Are Isn't Based on Performance with God. Who You Are Should Have A Direct Bearing on How You Perform.
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