 |
|
|
|
 |
|||
|
SOWING SEEDS Christ's mission was not understood by people of His time. The manner of His coming was not in accordance with their expectations. The traditions, maxims, and enactments of men hid from them the lessons, which God intended to convey. Christ had come, not as a king, but as a sower. Matthew 13:37 - He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man. Those who study the word of God with hearts open to enlightenment of the Holy Spirit will not remain in darkness as to the meaning of the word. John 7:17 - If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. Christ went forth to sow. He left His home of security and peace, left the glory that He had with the Father before the world was, left His position upon the throne of the universe. He went forth, a suffering, tempted man; went forth in solitude, to sow in tears, to water with His blood, the seed of life for a world lost. His servants in like manner must go forth to sow. When called to become a sower of truth, Abraham was bidden. Genesis 12:1 - Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee. Hebrews 11:8 - By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. So to the apostle Paul, praying in the temple at Jerusalem, came the message from God. Acts 22:21 - And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles. So those called to unite with Christ must leave all, in order to follow Him. Old associations must be broken up, plans of life relinquished, earthly hopes surrendered. In toil and tears, in solitude, and through sacrifice, must the seed be sown. The seed is the Word of God. "The sower soweth the word." Christ came to sow the world with truth. First Peter 1:23 - Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. By Him the word is communicated to men. Christ's work as a teacher of truth was in marked contrast to that of the rabbis of His time. They dwelt upon traditions, upon human theories and speculations. Often that which man had taught and written about the word, they put in place of the word itself. The subject of Christ's teaching and preaching was the word of God. John 5:39 - Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. Luke 24:27 - And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. In our day, as of old, the vital truths of God's word are set aside for human theories and speculations. Many professed ministers of the gospel do not accept the whole Bible as the inspired word. One wise man rejects one portion; another questions another part. They set up their judgment as superior to the word; and the Scripture, which they do teach, rests upon their own authority. Its divine authenticity is destroyed. Thus the seeds of infidelity are sown broadcast; for the people become confused, and know not what to believe. There are many beliefs that the mind has no right to entertain. In the days of Christ the rabbis put a forced, mystical construction upon many portions of Scripture. Because the plain teaching of God's word condemned their practices, they tried to destroy its force. The same thing is done today. The word of God is made to appear mysterious and obscure in order to excuse transgression of His law. Christ rebuked these practices in His day. He taught that the word of God was to be understood by all. He pointed to the Scriptures as of unquestionable authority, and we should do the same. The Bible is to be presented as the word of the infinite God, as the end of all controversy and the foundation of all faith. The Bible has been robbed of its power, and the results are seen in lowering of the tone of spiritual life. In the sermons from many pulpits of today there is not that divine manifestation which awakens the conscience and brings life to the soul. Instead of discussing erroneous theories, or seeking to combat the opponents of the gospel, follow the example of Christ. Second Timothy. 4:2 - Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine. Jerimiah 23:28 - The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. Proverbs 30:5,6 - Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar. |
|||