Tuesday, June 7, 2016

The Measure of “More"

Other seeds fell into the good soil, and as they grew up and increased, they yielded a crop and produced thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold."  Mark 4:8
  
We have been looking at The Seven Laws of the Harvest and today is Law 4 – We Reap More Than We Sow.  We see this in nature so plainly with such an example as a fruit tree or any plant that produces fruit or vegetables.  We plant one seed and from that one seed we may reap a whole tree.  This law says that man not only “can” have more but “will” have more based on what he sows. The law does not take into account what is better for us. That is left up to us in how and what we sow.  This law only produces a harvest more than we have sown. If you sow one bad seed, consequently you may find yourself with a whole harvest of rotten fruit. This fact is both serious and sobering, and it applies equally to the Christian and the unbeliever. Whatever a person sows, whether good or bad, he will reap the benefits or the consequences in a significantly greater proportion. The harvest is always greater than the seed planted – whether we are speaking of agriculture or the things of our lives. We invariably reap more than has been sown.
Negative Reaping of “More"
It would be great to think that this law will only apply itself in the positive side of the ledger. The farmer knows if he plants inferior/bad seed he will get a bad crop at harvest time, and sometimes "lots of it."
It is not just sowing of actions but attitudes that we reap. The sowing of anger and bitterness is warned against in
Hebrews 12:15 See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled; More damage is done by anger and bitterness than almost any other unrighteousness known to man.  It is the seed of much evil. What we sow in the mind and heart are most important.
Positive Reaping of “More"
A farmer may have planted some of his trees 40 years ago. He continues to reap more than he planted in a very positive fashion. Do you think he would have planted those trees had he thought he would reap one apple for one tree planted?  Of course not!
If you want to blessed, be a blessing. One small act of kindness may reap great acts of kindness and, one small hand to help may reap many hands who help. People remember when someone is kind to them. Complaint and bitterness are seeds as well that may be sown in the midst of hardship and heartache.  But in those places, there is a promise of God for those who act by faith in the midst of despair, hurt or pain.
One Life Sacrificed = Countless Lives Saved
The entire Christian movement grew up out of the ministry of those twelve men (including Paul).  The seed planted by Jesus is still producing fruit today as the Gospel continues to go out throughout our world in obedience to the Great Commission. God sacrificed His only Son in order to bring many in to heaven.  This was the greatest seed ever sown in love and the harvest is bountiful beyond comprehension.
Scripture to Claim
So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone. Ephesians 2:19-20

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