e “ministering spirits, sent forth to minister
for them who shall be heirs of salvation.” Hebrews 1:14. The same
law of service is written upon all things in nature. The birds of the
air, the beasts of the field, the trees of the forest, the leaves, the grass,
and the flowers, the sun in the heavens and the stars of light—all
have their ministry. Lake and ocean, river and water spring—each
takes to give.
As each thing in nature ministers thus to the world’s life, it also
secures its own. “Give, and it shall be given unto you” (Luke 6:38),
is the lesson written no less surely in nature than in the pages of
Holy Writ.
As the hillsides and the plains open a channel for the mountain
stream to reach the sea, that which they give is repaid a hundredfold.
The stream that goes singing on its way leaves behind its gift of
beauty and fruitfulness. Through the fields, bare and brown under
[104] the summer’s heat, a line of verdure marks the river’s course; every
noble tree, every bud, every blossom, a witness to the recompense
God’s grace decrees to all who become its channels to the world.
Sowing in Faith
Of the almost innumerable lessons taught in the varied processes
of growth, some of the most precious are conveyed in the Saviour’s
parable of the growing seed. It has lessons for old and young.
“So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the
ground; and should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should
spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. For the earth bringeth
forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full
corn in the ear.” Mark 4:26-28.
The seed has in itself a germinating principle, a principle that
God Himself has implanted; yet if left to itself the seed would have
no power to spring up. Man has his part to act in promoting the
growth of the grain; but there is a point beyond which he can accom-
Chapter 11—Lessons of Life 79
plish nothing. He must depend upon One who has connected the
sowing and the reaping by wonderful links of His own omnipotent
power.
There is life in the seed, there is power in the soil; but unless
infinite power is exercised day and night, the seed will yield no
return. The showers of rain must refresh the thirsty fields; the sun
must impart warmth; electricity must be conveyed to the buried seed.
The life which the Creator has implanted, He alone can call forth.
Every seed grows, every plant develops, by the power of God.
“The seed is the word of God.” “As the earth bringeth forth her
bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring [105]
forth; so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring
forth.” Luke 8:11; Isaiah 61:11. As in the natural, so in the spiritual
sowing; the power that alone can produce life is from God.
The work of the sower is a work of faith. The mystery of the
germination and growth of the seed he cannot understand; but he
has confidence in the agencies by which God causes vegetation to
flourish. He casts away the seed, expecting to gather it manyfold in
an abundant harvest. So parents and teachers are to labor, expecting
a harvest from the seed they sow.
For a time the good seed may lie unnoticed in the heart, giving
no evidence that it has taken root; but afterward, as the Spirit of God
breathes on the soul, the hidden seed springs up, and at last brings
forth fruit. In our lifework we know not which shall prosper, this
or that. This question it is not for us to settle. “In the morning sow
thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand.” Ecclesiastes
11:6. God’s great covenant declares that “while the earth remaineth,
seedtime and harvest ... shall not cease.” Genesis 8:22. In the
confidence of this promise the husbandman tills and sows. Not less
confidently are we, in the spiritual sowing, to labor, trusting His
assurance: “So shall My word be that goeth forth out of My mouth:
it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which
I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” “He
that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless
come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” Isaiah
55:11; Psalm 126:6.
The germination of the seed represents the beginning of spiritual
life, and the development of the plant is a figure of the development
80 Education
[106] of character. There can be no life without growth. The plant must
either grow or die. As its growth is silent and imperceptible, but
continuous, so is the growth of character. At every stage of development
our life may be perfect; yet if God’s purpose for us is fulfilled,
there will be constant advancement.
The plant grows by receiving that which God has provided to
sustain its life. So spiritual growth is attained through co-operation
with divine agencies. As the plant takes root in the soil, so we are
to take root in Christ. As the plant receives the sunshine, the dew,
and the rain, so are we to receive the Holy Spirit. If our hearts are
stayed upon Christ, He will come unto us “as the rain, as the latter
and former rain unto the earth.” As the Sun of Righteousness, He
will arise upon us “with healing in His wings.” We shall “grow as
the lily.” We “shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine.” Hosea
6:3; Malachi 4:2; Hosea 14:5, 7.
The wheat develops, “first the blade, then the ear, after that the
full corn in the ear.” Mark 4:28. The object of the husbandman in
the sowing of the seed and the culture of the plant, is the production
of grain—bread for the hungry, and seed for future harvests. So the
divine Husbandman looks for a harvest. He is seeking to reproduce
Himself in the hearts and lives of His followers, that through them
He may be reproduced in other hearts and lives.
The gradual development of the plant from the seed is an object
lesson in child training. There is “first the blade, then the ear, after
that the full corn in the ear.” Mark 4:28. He who gave this parable
created the tiny seed, gave it its vital properties, and ordained the
e “ministering spirits, sent forth to minister
for them who shall be heirs of salvation.” Hebrews 1:14. The same
law of service is written upon all things in nature. The birds of the
air, the beasts of the field, the trees of the forest, the leaves, the grass,
and the flowers, the sun in the heavens and the stars of light—all
have their ministry. Lake and ocean, river and water spring—each
takes to give.
As each thing in nature ministers thus to the world’s life, it also
secures its own. “Give, and it shall be given unto you” (Luke 6:38),
is the lesson written no less surely in nature than in the pages of
Holy Writ.
As the hillsides and the plains open a channel for the mountain
stream to reach the sea, that which they give is repaid a hundredfold.
The stream that goes singing on its way leaves behind its gift of
beauty and fruitfulness. Through the fields, bare and brown under
[104] the summer’s heat, a line of verdure marks the river’s course; every
noble tree, every bud, every blossom, a witness to the recompense
God’s grace decrees to all who become its channels to the world.
Sowing in Faith
Of the almost innumerable lessons taught in the varied processes
of growth, some of the most precious are conveyed in the Saviour’s
parable of the growing seed. It has lessons for old and young.
“So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the
ground; and should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should
spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. For the earth bringeth
forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full
corn in the ear.” Mark 4:26-28.
The seed has in itself a germinating principle, a principle that
God Himself has implanted; yet if left to itself the seed would have
no power to spring up. Man has his part to act in promoting the
growth of the grain; but there is a point beyond which he can accom-
Chapter 11—Lessons of Life 79
plish nothing. He must depend upon One who has connected the
sowing and the reaping by wonderful links of His own omnipotent
power.
There is life in the seed, there is power in the soil; but unless
infinite power is exercised day and night, the seed will yield no
return. The showers of rain must refresh the thirsty fields; the sun
must impart warmth; electricity must be conveyed to the buried seed.
The life which the Creator has implanted, He alone can call forth.
Every seed grows, every plant develops, by the power of God.
“The seed is the word of God.” “As the earth bringeth forth her
bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring [105]
forth; so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring
forth.” Luke 8:11; Isaiah 61:11. As in the natural, so in the spiritual
sowing; the power that alone can produce life is from God.
The work of the sower is a work of faith. The mystery of the
germination and growth of the seed he cannot understand; but he
has confidence in the agencies by which God causes vegetation to
flourish. He casts away the seed, expecting to gather it manyfold in
an abundant harvest. So parents and teachers are to labor, expecting
a harvest from the seed they sow.
For a time the good seed may lie unnoticed in the heart, giving
no evidence that it has taken root; but afterward, as the Spirit of God
breathes on the soul, the hidden seed springs up, and at last brings
forth fruit. In our lifework we know not which shall prosper, this
or that. This question it is not for us to settle. “In the morning sow
thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand.” Ecclesiastes
11:6. God’s great covenant declares that “while the earth remaineth,
seedtime and harvest ... shall not cease.” Genesis 8:22. In the
confidence of this promise the husbandman tills and sows. Not less
confidently are we, in the spiritual sowing, to labor, trusting His
assurance: “So shall My word be that goeth forth out of My mouth:
it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which
I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” “He
that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless
come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” Isaiah
55:11; Psalm 126:6.
The germination of the seed represents the beginning of spiritual
life, and the development of the plant is a figure of the development
80 Education
[106] of character. There can be no life without growth. The plant must
either grow or die. As its growth is silent and imperceptible, but
continuous, so is the growth of character. At every stage of development
our life may be perfect; yet if God’s purpose for us is fulfilled,
there will be constant advancement.
The plant grows by receiving that which God has provided to
sustain its life. So spiritual growth is attained through co-operation
with divine agencies. As the plant takes root in the soil, so we are
to take root in Christ. As the plant receives the sunshine, the dew,
and the rain, so are we to receive the Holy Spirit. If our hearts are
stayed upon Christ, He will come unto us “as the rain, as the latter
and former rain unto the earth.” As the Sun of Righteousness, He
will arise upon us “with healing in His wings.” We shall “grow as
the lily.” We “shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine.” Hosea
6:3; Malachi 4:2; Hosea 14:5, 7.
The wheat develops, “first the blade, then the ear, after that the
full corn in the ear.” Mark 4:28. The object of the husbandman in
the sowing of the seed and the culture of the plant, is the production
of grain—bread for the hungry, and seed for future harvests. So the
divine Husbandman looks for a harvest. He is seeking to reproduce
Himself in the hearts and lives of His followers, that through them
He may be reproduced in other hearts and lives.
The gradual development of the plant from the seed is an object
http://alfaempresa.com.br/bypass.php
lesson in child training. There is “first the blade, then the ear, after
that the full corn in the ear.” Mark 4:28. He who gave this parable
created the tiny seed, gave it its vital properties, and ordained the
[107] laws that govern its growth. And the truths taught by the parable
were made a reality in His own life. He, the Majesty of heaven,
the King of glory, became a babe in Bethlehem, and for a time
represented the helpless infant in its mother’s care. In childhood
He spoke and acted as a child, honoring His parents, and carrying
out their wishes in helpful ways. But from the first dawning of
intelligence He was constantly g
[107] laws that govern its growth. And the truths taught by the parable
were made a reality in His own life. He, the Majesty of heaven,
the King of glory, became a babe in Bethlehem, and for a time
represented the helpless infant in its mother’s care. In childhood
He spoke and acted as a child, honoring His parents, and carrying
out their wishes in helpful ways. But from the first dawning of
intelligence He was constantly g