Reflections on 1 Corinthians 3:7
“So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.” (1 Corinthians 3:7, NIV)
Knox says it boldly: “God is everything, since it is he who gives the increase.” The Remedy, by Dr. Tim Jennings of Come and Reason Ministries, calls Him “the only source of life, the only source of healing.”
We can plant and water all those the Lord brings across our path. As our attention is drawn toward another soul, we stop, look and listen to see where best to plant our seed. Our heart goes out to them, knowing life could truly be a joy if they knew what we know. So we plant our seeds of love and water them with each opportunity.
Still, the increase is up to the one who carries our seeds of love: to accept them and allow the truth to take hold in their heart, truth that has not yet been spoken, only lived out in front of them. God is the one to press the point to their hearts in the quiet moments when they will be able to hear His voice.
We may never know the true outcome of our efforts in this life, but the reward will be huge when they walk up to us in glory and say, “Thank you! Your example changed my life.” The Lord is drawing each soul by the strongest powers heaven has to offer. He misses nothing that can be used to reach a heart. The one in need of His healing care has no idea of the efforts put out by the hearts of love he passes each day, the longing for his happiness.
Our only job is to choose. Our choice releases the power of God into our lives. We can bless others with our example, our kindnesses and our witness, but the results of all we do are between them and God. The Father will provide all the power, Life and Love, the fires of Truth and Love, that a person is able to accept.
We have to agree with the transformation, the healing, before it can happen. It has to be our desire, our want, from deep within us. It takes a crisis in our life to bring us to our knees in need and want.
As we grow and are healed, our connection with the Father grows stronger. We are able to allow more of the fires of Truth and Love to pass through us, and more of the badness is consumed, burned out of our hearts and minds. Once the healing has begun, the crisis needed to change our minds need not be so strong. We are moved by the softer call, the more gentle nudge from the Spirit.
Learn to listen well to the Spirit’s promptings, and to apply the will in the direction the Spirit is leading. This will save you from the harder trial, the crisis that will come, must come, for you to grow beyond where you are now and to continue to heal from the sinful condition we were all born into.
Save yourself the grief by being present with the Father to hear His loving, gentle promptings.
We do our best, and the Father increases our efforts a hundredfold.
