The Conversion of a Farmer- David Sims

The will of God has been made plain. “For this is the will of God, even your sanctification.” (1Thessalonians 4:3) This is to involve our entire being. “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1Thessalonians 5:23)

But the question is how is this accomplished. The Bible is clear on one point, that “without Me ye can do nothing.” But that doesn't mean that with Him we do nothing also. Only God can put life in the seed and make it germinate and grow. It is an utter impossibility for man to accomplish this. But that doesn't mean that man has nothing to do. The farmer must plow the soil, fertilize, plant, water, weed, and harvest. If the farmer did not do this, the power of God alone would not produce a crop for him.

So in spiritual things. A transformed life, a character like Christ, a sanctified, holy mind, will never come if we wait on God to do what He expects us to do.
The roots of the plants hidden from view illustrate the invisible communion of the soul with Christ. The ground can be full of nutrients and water. The plant can be drenched with the rain from heaven, but if it doesn't use its roots and absorb the life-giving dew, it will not benefit. It will die.

So with our spiritual life.
“As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:” 1 Peter 2:2

Growth is constantly going on in the natural world. If a plant stops growing, it dies. So with us. We must have that communion with Christ through His word and prayer, and be constantly growing, or we will die.

A plant receives its nourishment on an ongoing basis. It is not enough to receive it one time. So we must receive life from God's word continually to sustain our spiritual lives.

There is a law of cause and effect.
“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”(Galatians 6:7)

It is the same in spiritual things.
“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” (1 Peter 1:23)

If we want a mind sanctified and holy, we must first plant the good seed - the thoughts, or the mind of Christ, expressed in His word.
“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:” (Philippians 2:5)

The seed we sow, the food we give our mind, and the vigilance we exercise in guarding the mind, will determine our character.

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind...” (Romans 12:2)

Our minds are made up of everything that we have ever put in them, just as a computer is the sum total of all that you have put into it.

There is no such thing as a plant that grows to maturity instantaneously. Neither is there any such thing as instantaneous sanctification. Sanctification is an on-going growth, which will continue as long as life shall last.

Just as the plant grows stronger as it endures the blast of the storm, the cold wind, and the hot sun, so God allows us to be placed in circumstances that will strengthen the character and make us strong.

“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39)

“That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:” (1 Peter 1:7)

If the farmer finds his soil to be poor, he does not remove all his soil and start over. No! He plants crops intended to send their roots deep and bring up the good soil. He amends the soil with nutrients. Gradually, the soil is enriched and ready to produce a wonderful harvest. So, we are to develop righteous characters in the nature which we now posses.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” (Romans 12:1)

What shall we do!? Let us not waste any more precious time in developing evil characters, but

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” (Colossians 3:1-2)

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