I had such a response from my last Q&A discussion forum question (one e-mail) that I am doing two questions today. I joke about the one e-mail but it was one more e-mail than usual. Though I do love to hear from others I pray that with the questions and with my commentary that by the grace of God you dont respond to me but to yourself. I pray that it pleases Him to personalize His words for you and press in your hearts the truth.
Extra Credit: I don’t receive many e-mails as a response to anything I post, but I do get faithfully weekly words of encouragement and devotions from one brother. Thank you Wylie Fulton I enjoy reading your messages and I pray others are blessed by this text I recently received entitled Holy Spirit Conviction
Jhn 12:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
Jhn 12:25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
Jhn 12:26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
- What is it to abide alone?
- When were (you) justified?
A seed on its own, separated is dead and produces no fruit. A farmer in faith cast his seed into the ground, believing in a future harvest. Faith that when the seed is buried, it will have life again and spring up as a new creation and bring forth fruit. And so it is with man. The flesh must die; it must be crucified and buried before it can rise again. Rise again honoring the law, conquering sin, satisfying the justice of God, and the gift of a new life. This is what was accomplished on the cross and with Christ resurrection. If He did not die there would not be life and remission of sin. For those He died for they are connected with this act and follow Him with their sins to the cross and leave them in His tomb. Without the death there is absolutely no hope of salvation and we and He would abide alone.
And so it is with all that Christ died for. If you hold to this life. If you pervert or reject the crucifixion. If you refuse to identify with the truth and suffering of Him, you shall be a seed on your own. You will not only be alone and produce no fruit but will shrivel up and perish forever. But if by the grace of God, like the farmer, in faith you cast your seed and trust in Him. If you cast your life, hopes, and future entirely in Christ death and resurrection you shall live again and produce much fruit.
