“…The kingdom of God is like a man who casts seed upon the soil; and goes to bed at night and gets up by day, and the seed sprouts up and grows — how, he himself does not know. The soil produces crops by itself; first the blade, then the head, then the mature grain in the head. But when the crop permits, he immediately puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.” (Mark 4:26-29 NASB)
Regarding maturity, there are two occasions found in the Scriptures that denote a time to ripen, as well as a time when the time is ripe. In Ephesians (see Eph 4:13NASB) this is referenced as maturity and the full measure stature of Christ. In other places, we read where time itself comes to a full as in Galatians 4:4 (KJV), “But when the fullness of time was come, God sent forth His Son…” In Ephesians 1, there is the anticipation of another time when “the fulness of times” will come (Eph 1:10 ) resulting in the summing up, or the gathering together in one all things in Christ. In these instances, the time is ripe – mature and ready for God to act profoundly and powerfully. There are two lessons here – two Spiritual truths to behold. The parable about the Kingdom of God in Mark 4 focuses on the growth and maturity of the believer as well as the church as a whole. Today, we shall briefly touch upon both lessons.
Spiritual Maturity
In the epistles, the word “elder” is used on multiple occasions. The word does not refer to a group of elders that are voted into such a position. Nor does it mean someone who is old by age. An elder is someone who has matured in Christ – who is mature Spiritually.
In the epistle to the Corinthians, Paul explains and complains about their lack of maturity, and rebukes them for not being Spiritual at all (see 2 Cor 2:13-3:1). He concludes, “And I, brethren could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh” (2 Cor 3:1 NASB). These men of the flesh are non-spiritual (see Amplified Bible) and are constrained and governed by their Adamic (flesh) nature. Paul goes on to declare they are at best still babes in Christ. It is clear Spiritual maturity has nothing to do with the passing of chronological time.
Spiritual maturity has everything to do with our becoming more like Christ. Time itself does not cause this to happen. We must be actively engaged in “the work[ing] out of our salvation” (Php 2:12). As the verse says, God is at work in us. What He is working within us is the forming of Christ. He is working both the will and ability to work for his good pleasure. The nature, character, and virtues of Christ are being formed within us. Through the power of His Spirit, we are “to be strengthened in the inner man so that Christ may dwell in [our] hearts” (Eph 3:16,17 NASB). The intent and purpose of God for us are that you and I “may be filled up to all the fullness of God” (Eph 3:19 NASB). As we work out what God is doing, forming, and working within us, Christ is revealed within us. Hence, Spiritual maturity!
Spiritual Growth
“First the blade, then the head, then the mature grain in the head” (Mark 4:28 NASB). There is a succession of growth to be progressively realized. The outcome is the mature grain in the head is like the hidden seed that formed it. I’m speaking of Christ being the seed. The outflow of our life flows from the “well of water springing up to eternal life” (John 4:14 NASB). This well is formed when we received Jesus Christ. This water represents the very life of the Holy Spirit of Christ, for it is declared “God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying Abba! Father!” (Gal 4:4 NASB).
Beginning as the blade, our lives begin to be transformed and conformed to the image of Christ (see Rom 8:29, Rom 12:2). As old things pass away the new life of the inner man begins to appear, the blade and then the head. But the final result is that as we mature, we radiate the glory of the only begotten of the Father. Christ, who is our life, is revealed through us as we are crucified with Christ. You and I then can declare, “for to me, to live is Christ” (Php 1:21 NASB), for “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me” (Gal 2:20 KJV). The succession of the blade is the head, and the progression of life reveals the mature grain when the grain is ripe. God’s plan for your and my life is that we become full-stature Christians in whom the life of Christ lives.
The Body of Christ Will Become A Mature Man
Prophetically, there is a time when the Body of Christ will no longer be splintered and broken by division and loveless attitudes. God has done much over the past few decades to bring the Body of Christ together across denominational lines and organizational boundaries, and “He who began a good work…will complete it by the day of Christ Jesus” (Php 1:6 NASB). The mature man of Ephesians 4 is comprised of the many mature, full-stature members of the Body of Christ. No longer children tossed here and there and established in unity of the faith of Jesus Christ through which we live. As the Body of Christ, we are destined to attain “to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ” (Eph 4:13 NASB). This is the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens, and things in the earth. The Body of Christ will be one new, mature man.
Two miraculous events will unfold fulfilling God’s Word. Events for which all of creation groans as the fullness of time swiftly approaches. At a time that “darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people” (Isa 60:2 KJV), the life of Christ will radiantly shine from within us and will be seen upon us. God will sovereignly call to us in that hour to “Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you” (Isa 60:1 NASB). Secondly, it is at this hour we will be one, fulfilling Jesus’ prayer. And as Jesus prayed prophetically as a result “the world may believe that You have sent Me” (John 17:21 NASB). Full-statured Christians will be clothed in the glory and power of God ready to reap a final great harvest before the Rapture occurs.
Mature Bride
Our relationship with the Father as sons of God positions us to be the one new man in Christ (see Eph 2:15). Our relationship with Jesus is that we are to become a mature Bride, ready for the Marriage Supper. Christ is at work “that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot, or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she would be holy and blameless” (Eph 5:27 NASB). It is through “simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ” (2 Cor 11:3 NASB) that the church, the Bride of Christ will be established in holiness, without spot or wrinkle. It is through the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ that we will be clothed in the glory of Christ, “the glory of the only begotten of the Father” (John 1:14 KJV). Christ and the church are ordained to become one (see Eph 5:31), and the mystery and eternal purpose of God will be fulfilled as the Bride is clothed in the fullness of Christ in the fullness of times.
The Summing Up of All Things In Christ
The church, which is the one new mature man and is also the glorious bride in the maturity of Christ, in the fullness of Christ at the fullness of times will engage in a huge harvest in a time of great darkness. We will take the gospel in this final hour to all nations, “then the end shall come” (Mat 24:14 KJV). The culmination of all things is the summing up of all things in Christ. And then what Jesus revealed in Mark 4:29 (NASB) shall come to pass: “But when the crop permits, he immediately puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.” When the whole church becomes full-statured Christians, Spiritually mature to the measure of the fullness of Christ, the nations are harvested, then God puts in the sickle and we are gathered from the four corners of the earth.
While this fullness of time scenario is a grand scale view, the vital elements for each generation of Christians until that hour are given to us until then. Each of us must continue in Christ, and we must give ourselves to praying and seeking God, fasting, and seeking Him through the Scriptures while exhorting one another until that Day come. This exhorting one another isn’t just given to Pastors or other leaders in the church, it includes them, but also includes everyone who is a part of the Body of Christ. For all of us must seek the best gifts that edify the church (see 1 Cor 14). Most importantly, you and I must be passionately determined to become like Christ so that we may carry in our vessels the glorious light of Jesus (who is our life).
Heavenly Father, birth in us the passionate determination that is fitting to become like Jesus. We lay aside all encumbrances and the sin that does so easily beset us and fix our eyes upon Jesus. Oh God, we declare that He is the single joy that is set before us, and declare He is our prize. We renounce any sin, any love-less attitude, and we take them in captive obedience to you. Transform us, Oh God. Let our hearts be established in the simplicity and purity of devotion to Jesus Christ, your Son. That you may be glorified in us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Hal Garms eWord Messages 