Tag: Christian Inspiration

Being Progressive

~ Sowmya Gali

Jeremiah 6: 16

Thus says the Lord, “Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; and you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘we will not walk in it.’

We hear this word ‘Progressive’ in every day rhetoric. From media to courthouses, from politicians to professors, from the Senate floor to classrooms, being progressive is the buzz word these days. The two definitions of ‘progressive’ are: a) developing gradually and/or proceeding step by step and b) favoring and implementing social reform or new, liberal ideas. In between these two interpretations of the word, there are several adaptations and misrepresentations of its meaning. Lately, people who hold Biblical principles, moral and conservative values in high esteem are labeled as ancient people. They are jeered as people who don’t like to change their thinking and their ways. They are mocked for not being ‘woke’ or ‘progressive’ enough.  Such is the norm of society these days.

The Bible, on the other hand, commands us to seek the ancient paths, the truth, laws and traditions handed down by generations before. God considers the ancient paths as good and commands us to walk in those paths. In walking on such ancient paths, our souls find rest. God, in His infinite wisdom, wants us to seek those paths so we won’t stumble. Through His prophets He constantly and consistently reminded of these ancient paths. (Jeremiah 25:4 “And the Lord has sent to you all His servants the prophets again and again, but you have not listened nor inclined your ear to hear.) Yet, we have not turned to Him. We have been stubborn and continued to revert to sin.

Isn’t it ironic that we gauge our growth in the Lord, in His truth and faith as gradually growing while, we call ourselves backslidden if we commit sin? We neither say we are backsliding into faith nor do we say we are progressing in sin. As we gradually grow in faith, we are slowly but surely shunning our sins, embracing God’s Truth, and walking in the Light. We, as Christ-bearers are called to progress in living holy and pure lives, discarding everything that is evil. Why then do we address progressiveness as being tolerant and accepting towards abortions, homosexuality, idolatry, adultery and other sins, when the Bible calls us out of those evils? When did abortion, homosexuality, etc., have become good and necessary causes to fight for? How have these sinful acts, sugar-coated as progressive ideas an expression of freedom? In 2 Peter 2: 17-20, Peter addresses this dichotomy very clearly. “These are springs without water and mists driven by a storm, for whom the black darkness has been reserved. For speaking out arrogant words of vanity they entice by fleshly desires, by sensuality, those who barely escape from the ones who live in error, promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves to corruption; for by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved. For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first…”

In the process of being progressive, we must consider whose side we are on. Are we on God’s side, deeply anchored in His Word, standing firm in His truth and upholding His law? Or are we on the side of the evil practicing openly without any shame or regret every abomination under the sun? We say we are standing for truth, but fail to address if we are standing for God’s truth. 1 Corinthians 10: 12 says Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall. There is only one absolute truth in this universe and that is God’s TRUTH. Everything else is false. We are liars if we support people or causes that encourages evil practices. We are partakers if we are lenient towards sensual practices. We are deceivers if we turn a blind eye to abominations. Either we are for God or against God. Apostle Paul warns us in Galatians 5: 9 “But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless elemental things, to which you desire to be enslaved all over again?”

People have argued that following Christ, living holy and pure lives is hard. They consider it is easier to wallow in sin rather than turn to Christ. In the world we are living currently, it is considered to be a wise decision to be tolerant towards sin, even though we, ourselves don’t commit such grievous sins. As long as the sin doesn’t affect us, we consider ourselves to be safe. That is the ‘woke’ thing you can do. How sad to even consider that! The Bible clearly warns us that in the last days false teachers will arise proclaiming what is evil as good and what is good as evil (Isaiah 5: 20). They entice us with false words and anything that tickles our ears. Our only safe place is in God’s truth. If what we hear with our ears, see with our eyes and perceive with our hearts is held against the plumb line of God’s truth, then we will be able to safe guard ourselves from the impending God’s Judgment.

How then shall we live? Is freedom of expression better expressed when we revert to sin, cheer from the sidelines or worse still, participate in evil acts? Who has experienced freedom, peace and joy when committing such sinful acts? If we tune out our ears to the cacophony of the worldly lies, focus our hearts and minds on the Perfect Lamb of God who came to take away the sin of the world, then we can know for sure that perfect peace, joy and freedom comes only knowing God’s heart and walking in light. Galatians 5: 1 says, “It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.” Paul further encourages us to walk by the Spirit, so we will not succumb to the desires of the flesh (Galatians 5: 16).

Let us then strive to walk in the Light, casting away every fleshly desire, and embracing God’s Truth. When we are anchored in God’s Word, then we will be truly progressive. Our minds will be better equipped to discern what is the truth and what is a lie. “So let us know, let us press on to know the Lord. His going forth is as certain as the dawn; and He will come to us like the rain, like the spring rain watering the earth.” (Hosea 6: 3)

Multi-fold Bounty

~ Sowmya Gali

Matthew 13: 8

And others fell on the good soil and yielded a crop, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty.

Mark 4: 8

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.

When narrating the Parable of the Sower, Jesus Christ saved the best for the last: the seed that fell on the good soil. He likens the seed that fell into good soil to a man who hears the Word of God, understands it, bears fruit and brings forth a bountiful harvest (Matthew 13: 23). In all the three Gospels – Matthew, Mark and Luke, Jesus mentions that a man who hears His words, understands them and practices them is the one who bears fruit resulting in a multi-fold harvest.

As an amateur gardener, I’ve noticed that if a seed has all the right conditions when it is sown, then it grows exactly as I’ve anticipated. Ensuring a nutrient rich soil, well drained soil and optimum temperature, enables a seed to grow well and thrive. I’ve experimented with certain variety of seeds, trying to grow them in the wrong season but still providing the right nutrients. Despite my best efforts, seeds didn’t sprout in off season. Even if they sprouted, they didn’t grow well enough. God has ingrained in those seeds’ DNA when and how they must grow.

When God’s Word is firmly planted in our hearts, if the conditions are right, then the seed does sprout, grow and thrive. When we receive the Word, how we deal with it matters the most. If it isn’t received well, if the right conditions are not provided and if the necessary nutrients are not supplied, then, the chance of the seed surviving in our hearts are slim to none. However, if our hearts are receptive to the Word when we hear, then it does sprout and grow.

When we receive the Word, understand and thrive, then we are bound to bear fruit. Jesus likens our lives to fruit bearing plants. Not just bearing but bringing forth a bountiful harvest. It is interesting to note that Jesus in the Matthew’s Gospel talks of the harvest in a descending order while in the Mark’s Gospel in the ascending order.

Matthew’s Gospel: hundred-fold, sixty-fold and thirty-fold

Mark’s Gospel: thirty-fold, sixty-fold and hundred-fold

In nature, we witness plants/crops bringing forth initially more and slowly the harvest dwindles down as the growing season draws to a close. At the same time, some plants/crops initially bear little but as the season is winding down, they put forth a bountiful harvest. Either way, there is a bountiful harvest.

How are our lives? Has the seed that was sown in our hearts received the right conditions for growth? Have we been bearing fruit? Did we bear just enough fruit for the Kingdom or did our lives bring forth a bountiful harvest that our barns are spilling over? Plants, at the end of the growing season, tend to bolt, which means their main focus is to produce seeds. It is their survival tactic for the next season. Seeds if they fall to the ground, they remain hidden until the right conditions are prevalent. Did our lives touch others’ lives that through us the seeds of God’s Word sown in their hearts are also bearing bountiful harvests?

Just as Jesus promised, if His Word is sown in a good soil, we will have to bear fruit. Not just enough but a bounty that spills over. We, as believers of Christ, must ensure that we provide the right conditions for the seed to grow, which means, that we must be in the Word constantly, drawing the nutrients from God. The more we draw from Him, the more we bear fruit.

Dear beloved, hope this series of articles on the Parable of Sower has inspired you to be rooted in the Word of God. No matter our circumstances, our lives bear witness if we are being fruitful or not. As my pastor gently reminds us on a regular basis, we must be fruit inspectors. First inspect fruit that we are bearing and then inspect fruit of others. As we continue to thrive in His Kingdom, may we constantly be nourished by the Living Word, may we firmly be planted by the Living Waters so that irrespective of the season, we will be evergreen fruit-bearing trees for His Kingdom and for His glory!