How can we ensure we are "wheat" and not "weeds" in God's field? Setting the Scene: Wheat and Weeds “ ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field…’ ” (Matthew 13:24). Jesus explains that the “good seed” are the “sons of the kingdom,” while the weeds are the “sons of the evil one” (Matthew 13:38). The harvest represents the end of the age when the wheat is gathered into the barn and the weeds are burned (Matthew 13:40-43). What Makes Wheat, Wheat? • Born of the right seed: “Having been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God” (1 Peter 1:23). • Rooted in Christ: “Whoever has the Son has life” (1 John 5:12). • Producing fruit consistent with the Spirit: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace…” (Galatians 5:22-23). • Enduring in faithful obedience: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom… but only he who does the will of My Father” (Matthew 7:21). Cultivating Wheat-Like Hearts • Trust Christ alone for salvation (John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-9). • Stay nourished in Scripture—daily reading anchors roots deep (Psalm 1:2-3). • Walk in repentance; confess sin quickly (1 John 1:9). • Practice obedience in both the seen and unseen areas of life (James 1:22). • Invite the Holy Spirit’s continual filling for character transformation (Ephesians 5:18). • Remain in fellowship with other believers for encouragement and accountability (Hebrews 10:24-25). • Serve in love; good works reveal living faith (James 2:17). Indicators That Weeds Are Being Uprooted • Growing desire for holiness and decreasing tolerance for sin (1 Peter 1:15-16). • Increasing love for God’s people (John 13:35). • Consistent alignment of words and actions with Scripture (Colossians 3:17). • Perseverance in trials without abandoning faith (James 1:2-4). • Evident fruit that benefits others—generosity, kindness, evangelism (Titus 3:8). Remaining Vigilant Until the Harvest • Keep watch over your life and doctrine (1 Timothy 4:16). • Pray for endurance; the enemy sows counterfeits until the end (Matthew 13:25). • Look ahead to the promised gathering: “Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father” (Matthew 13:43). • Live today with harvest day in view, confident that the Lord “knows those who are His” (2 Timothy 2:19). |
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