There is a tantalizing verse in the first epistle of John that sounds puzzling at first glance:

“Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.” (1 John 3:9)

What can this verse mean by the mystical “seed” whereby we are “born of God” and are freed from sin?

If you were reading through the Bible in consecutive order you would have known what John was referring to, because just a few books previous, Peter tells us more about this seed.

“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)

Alive
The word of God is the seed. Every seed has in itself a germinating principle. It contains the life of the plant. Just so there is life in God's word. Christ says, "The words that I speak unto you, they are Spirit, and they are life." John 6:63. "He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life." John 5:24.

Those of you who have read the previous issues of The Narrow Way will remember how we discussed receiving the mind or Spirit of Christ through the word in the first issue. Also how I urged you to make daily Bible reading one of your new year's resolutions in our last issue. So why bring it up again?

Because I am convicted that this aspect of Christian growth is so simple, it is easy to take it for granted or undervalue it. And yet it is so vital and plays so much larger a role in our transformation than we often realize.

Since the fateful day at seventeen when I finally gave my rebel heart to the Lord for keeps, I have often slipped in and out of good routine and consequently good devotional habits. I have memories of myself as a teen in my parent's house lying in bed awake, silently asking God, “How can I get out of this rut and serve you fully?” “Spend more time with Me” was always the answer.

When musing more recently about the means of obtaining a truly victorious experience, I picked up a small devotional book nearby and read a chapter at random.

God spoke to me through the pages of that book, and once again I was impressed that God's word plays a vital role in our transformation.

Immortal
Please realize that God's word is not simply ink on paper or the sounds of language. It is “spirit and life.” It is spoken of in 1 Peter 1:23 quoted above as being incorruptible, in other words immortal, alive with a life that cannot die, that liveth and abideth forever. Every command and every promise of the word of God is the very life and power of God, by which the command may be fulfilled and the promise realized.

There is a statement that has awed me, and I believe it is true:

“He who by faith receives the word is receiving the very life and character of God.”

Divine philosophy
We go to school, college or university to develop our minds by studying the philosophies of man's conjectures. Let us learn the philosophy of Him who is truth. Let our brain power be exercised in studying the thoughts of God! If we study the word prayerfully with an honest desire for truth we are brought in actual contact with the mind of God. And what a power this will have in us to transform and recreate! “Let the word of Christ dwell in your richly.” We receive Christ through His word. And the love of Jesus in the heart will create a love for the searching of his word.

Have we given the word priority in our lives every day? Have we appreciated our great need of it, as more necessary than our physical food?

Trip of a lifetime
Brethren beloved, our lifetime here is like a few short days given for us to prepare for the eternity beyond. Now if you were planning a year long world trip and only had a few hours to prepare, what would you spend them on? Sure, you might need to call a friend or eat a meal as well, but would you not give your best efforts and energy to preparation? How much more important that we prepare for that which means eternal life or eternal death.

We are told that a good breakfast can make or break your day. But what about our spiritual breakfast?

Early morning date
Do you dare turn off the alarm clock and turn over?
Do you dare rush into the day with your soul unfed?
Do you dare prolong your earthly work or pleasure into the night hours and sacrifice the morning hours with God?

I confess that I have dared to do all these things: over and over, not realizing this was why I found my feet slipping!

Many times late nights and tight schedules have gotten in between me and God. But, praise God, strong conviction has wrought in me a determination to make my early morning date with God no matter what.

Have I been tired? Plenty of that, but He who said “my grace is sufficient for thee” has upheld me. His peace and joy are glorious!

Don't pamper your poor mortal body or make it an excuse for neglecting the Beloved's company.

I was one who would always think first of the “needs” of my “poor mortal body” and often when my call to devotions sounded of a morning, I would rationalize to myself, “I really can't get up so soon this time. I won't be able to handle the day properly if I do.”

I was blessed to happen upon an article that shocked me with the idea that I need not, I ought not make such allowances for myself.

Sleepless night
The story I read of Baroness, Mathilde Wrede, who chose tireless ministry in place of ease, has come back to my memory many “tired” mornings!

When she was struggling after a sleepless night, she would encourage herself, "Today I have again the privilege of being occupied with my Father's business." Then while going down the stairway, she would continue, "O my poor body! How tired you are! We are now going to try again to get a-going. Up to now you have shown yourself obedient and patient when love spurred you to work. I thank you. I know that today you will not leave me in the lurch."

The article went on to say,
“God help us if Christian victory can make us no better than our bodies' inclinations. Thrice happy are those liberated, light-hearted, carefree souls who can almost teasingly encourage their fatigued frames as could Mathilde Wrede. Such a merry heart doeth good like a medicine. Has the reader leaned on the flesh, been subject to it, attached?”