CULTIVATION

 

Over the past week or so, the fields around the parsonage have undergone a transformation. Where one field had the remains of corn stalks and the other had grown over with other vegetation and grasses, the fields have now been cultivated—worked and prepared for planting.  Unless you have a no-till planter, which drills into the soil and deposits the seed, it’s this preliminary work of cultivation that makes the harvest possible. It takes time and effort, but is necessary work.

The life of a Christian also takes cultivation—we don’t grow to maturity over night. And, just like the farmer has to cultivate his fields year after year, we must regularly and actively cultivate our faith. To do this, we must spend regular time in God’s Word, prayer, and with God’s people. Consider the following passages and cultivate your faith:

 1 Peter 2:2-3 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation-- if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. (ESV)

Hebrews 5:14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. (ESV)

Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. (ESV)

Colossians 1:28-29  [Christ] we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me. (ESV)

Hebrews 10:23-25 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (ESV)

I hope these passages have been a helpful reminder to keep cultivating your faith. 

In His grip,  

Pastor Decker