Steps in cultivating a tree (part two)

 

 

3. The third step in cultivating of a tree is proper nutrients to sustain its growth

 Naturally, plants require a continuous supply of oxygen and water to sustain itself: and needs to draw nutrients from other sources of inorganic matter. Even the other corruptible seed which we grow, that is our fleshly human body requires oxygen, water and food to sustain itself. The incorruptible seed which we are now cultivating is of no exception, for thus says the Giver and Sustainer of the incorruptible seed; "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me. This is the bread which came down from heaven --- not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever" (John 6:53-58).

From all indications the sustenance and growth of the incorruptible seed is by far more important than that of the corruptible seed, for we have been duly admonished saying; “Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him." And, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh [the corruptible seed] will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit [the incorruptible seed] will of the Spirit reap everlasting life” (John 6:27; Galatians 6:7-8).

4. The fourth step in cultivating a tree is the enrichment of the soil

Soils normally gets depleted and required some form of enrichment by the use of manure or fertilizers in order to enhance the growth and productivity of the tree, similarly with the incorruptible seed the soil needs to be enriched to enhance the plant’s growth and productivity. Therefore, according to the apostle Paul; “For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light” (Colossians 1:9-12).

The new incorruptible seed that we are cultivating requires a different soil than the one on which the corruptible tree grows, and therefore we have been instructed saying; “But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him.” The knowledge of Christ is what we need to enrich the mind and the heart so that God’s divine nature can grow in us, therefore we are to “grow in the grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (Colossians 3:8-10; 2Peter 3:18).

And in addition, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, we are to put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave us, so we also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also we were called in one body; and be thankful.

We also are to let the word of Christ dwell in us richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in our hearts to the Lord. And whatever we do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Colossians 3:12-17).

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To be continued 

Lucius Joseph