“But there rose up…” Acts 15:5
Spring
is laboring to sprout forth and overcome the grip of winter and bring with it a
new growth of life. Gardens are being
cultivated, plowed and planted flower beds are prepped and mulched both waiting
with good intentions to spring forth a harvest.
But without fail emerging right beside the growth of spring life pops-up
weeds/tares; fighting for their own resources for life. In Acts 15 Paul and Barnabas faced the same
challenge within their ministry. Having
declared the victory of salvations in Phenice and Samaria; (vs 3) states “the
conversion of the Gentiles, caused great joy unto all the brethren.” Yet
among the harvest of salvations that brought great joy, weeds/tares “rose
up” among the sect (vs 5). Why it is some Christians will labor long and
hard to eliminate and remove the weeds/tares from their own garden and yet
allow them to flourish within the church; even so much as to plant them
themselves? Unfortunately in nature the weeds/tares travel with ease within the
wind landing without respect in fertile soil looking to take root without our
control. But as Christians it’s shameful
when we allow our actions, which bring about weeds/tares, to flow as
effortlessly as if nature is in control.
Just like a garden, weeds/tares rob the garden of its beauty and if left
unattended will eventually choke out any hopes of new life. As foolish as it sounds why would one plant,
along with their seeds of life, seeds of discord, gossip, hatred, bitterness,
deceit, dishonesty or self-intentions and yet desire new life? What’s “Rising-Up”
in your garden, is it all new life or do you see signs of weeds/tares sprouting
forth? (Pro 6:16-19) If anything is
to “Rise-Up” let it be according to Rom 14:19 “Let us therefore follow after the things
which make for peace and things wherewith one may edify another.”
Faith
no more tolerates a moderate love amongst fellow man than it tolerates a moderate
love between God and man!
HSAY…Todd
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