Prize of our upward calling (part four)

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).

   https://www.amazon.com/dp/145385777X

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BFP1SMV

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FV4WTWQ

To be continued

Lucius Joseph