Principles of Genuine Reformation
In our last study we examined the importance of the parable of the sower (found in Matthew 13, Mark 4, and Luke 8). We discussed also the importance of soil preparation, a breaking up of the fallow ground of the human heart, paralleled with our spiritual preparation for the latter rain.
Suppose that you are a farmer with lots of land, and great responsibilities. People depend on you for food. You have 40 acres in corn down in the valley, and it looks as if rain is on the way. The weather forecast calls for rain, and you know that your field will be flooded because it is in the valley. Something must be done quickly, because the farm equipment may get stuck in the mud.
“While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease” (Genesis 8:22).
Now let us make a spiritual application. We are praying for the latter rain, but what preparation are we making?
“In order for the seed to grow, it must have care; and when man has done his part, this is only the beginning. After man has prepared the soil, and planted the seed, showing care and thoughtfulness in the work, he must depend upon God, the great Husbandman, to send sunshine and showers to water the thirsty ground, and cause the seed to spring up and grow. The combined influence of the Lord’s unseen agencies is necessary from the time the seed is buried in the ground till the harvest is gathered.”1
What must be done before the seed is buried in the ground?
Ask a farmer, ask a nurseryman, ask a landscaper, ask a gardener!
WHAT SHALL WE DO before we can plant a crop?
The answer has not changed in 6,000 years. We must prepare the soil. Men used their backs, and the backs of their animals to prepare the ground for planting. Things have changed since then; we now use machinery to do the heaviest part of the work. But the principle is still the same. We must prepare the soil.
You can’t throw watermelon seeds on top of the lawn and expect a good crop of watermelons. Neither can you sow seed potatoes by broadcasting, and just wait for the harvest.
“We may learn a precious lesson from the work of the farmer in cultivating his field. In order to reap a harvest, he must cooperate with God, the great Husbandman. His part is to prepare the ground and plant the seed, at the right time and in the right way. God gives the seed life. He sends the sunshine and the showers, and the seed springs up, ‘first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.’ If the farmer fails to do his part, the sun may shine, the dew and the showers may fall upon the soil, but there will be no harvest. And though the work of planting had been done, unless God sent the sunshine and the dew and the rain, the seed would never, never spring up and grow.”2
“Earnestness, diligence, and persevering labor are to be put forth in treating the soil preparatory to sowing the seed. So it is in the spiritual work in the human heart. Those who would be benefited by the tilling of the soil must go forth with the word of God in their hearts. They will then find the fallow ground of the heart broken by the softening, subduing influence of the Holy Spirit. Unless hard work is bestowed on the soil, it will not yield a harvest. So with the soil of the heart: the Spirit of God must work upon it to refine and discipline it before it can bring forth fruit to the glory of God.
“The soil will not produce its riches when worked by impulse. It needs thoughtful, daily attention. It must be plowed often and deep, with a view to keeping out the weeds that take nourishment from the good seed planted. Thus those who plow and sow prepare for the harvest. None need stand in the field amid the sad wreck of their hopes.
“The blessing of the Lord will rest upon those who thus work the land, learning spiritual lessons from nature. In cultivating the soil the worker knows little what treasures will open up before him. While he is not to despise the instruction he may gather from minds that have had an experience, and from the information that intelligent men may impart, he should gather lessons for himself. This is a part of his training. The cultivation of the soil will prove an education to the soul.”3
“ ‘So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; and should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come” (Mark 4:26-29). The seed here spoken of is the word of God sown in the heart and made fruitful by divine grace. If the truth takes root in the heart, it will sooner or later spring into life and bear fruit. The life and character will show the nature and quantity of the seed sown. But the work of cultivating is the work of a lifetime. The principles of truth once planted in the soul are to be carried out in the daily duties of life. The growth of Christian character is gradual - like the advancement of the natural plant through its various stages of development. But nevertheless the progress is continual. As in nature, so it is in grace, the plant must either grow or die.”4
“We must not wait for the latter rain. It is coming upon all who will recognize and appropriate the dew and showers of grace that fall upon us. When we gather up the fragments of light, when we appreciate the sure mercies of God, who loves to have us trust in Him, then every promise will be fulfilled. ‘For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations’ (Isaiah 61:11). The whole earth is to be filled with the glory of God.”5
“Let everyone who claims to believe that the Lord is soon coming, search the Scriptures as never before. . . . Let every believer take up his Bible with earnest prayer, that he may be enlightened by the Holy Spirit as to what is truth, that he may know more of God and of Jesus Christ whom He has sent. Search for the truth as for hidden treasures, and disappoint the enemy. The time of test is just upon us, for the loud cry of the third angel has already begun in the revelation of the righteousness of Christ, the sin-pardoning Redeemer. This is the beginning of the light of the angel whose glory shall fill the whole earth. For it is the work of everyone to whom the message of warning has come, to lift up Jesus, to present Him to the world as revealed in types, as shadowed in symbols, as manifested in the revelations of the prophets, as unveiled in the lessons given to His disciples and in the wonderful miracles wrought for the sons of men. Search the Scriptures; for they are they that testify of Him.”6
We have been admonished that the book of Acts is to be our study, especially chapter 2. Acts chapter 2 draws our attention to Joel chapter 2. Acts chapter 2 tells us about the events surrounding the early rain, before and after. Joel chapter 2 tells us about the events surrounding the latter rain, before and after. There are some striking similarities between these two chapters.
We have a work to do before the outpouring of the latter rain. We need a heart preparation similar to the soil preparation. In the next article, we will continue to focus primarily on the lessons given by Jesus to the disciples and on the parables He taught. More attention will be given to one parable in particular, the parable of the sower. May the Good Lord add His blessing to the reading of His Word, Amen!