One and done attitudes have harmed personal development and perfection. We do not inherit the characteristics of Christ via osmosis or via church attendance. Nor is there any instantaneous occurrence, other than the change from pursuing our way to going God's way (repentance). Our salvation and our perfection take place over time. We are required to participate in this process through obedience. Keep the commandments; never violate your conscience and take time every day to hear the voice of God. Our walk with God is accomplished by revelation, not education. The Scriptures contain valuable insights and lessons; not to memorize, but to encourage us and provide witnesses of other relationships with God.
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Ch. 30 - Jesus Teaches the Kingdom in Parables
The Tares (Weeds) Matt. 13:24-30; 36-43
THEN JESUS told another parable, saying:
“The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field. But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, ‘Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?’ He said unto them, ‘An enemy hath done this.’ The servants said unto him, ‘Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?’ But he said, ‘Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.”’”
Later on, after the multitude had been sent away and Jesus had gone into the house, his disciples came to him, saying:
“Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field.”
Jesus answered them, saying:
“He that soweth the good seed is the Son of many. The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one. The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so shall it be in the end of the world. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; and shall cast them into a furnace of fire. There shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.”
THE SEED (Mark 4:36-29)
Jesus spoke another parable, saying:
“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.”
A MUSTARD SEED (Matt. 13:31, 32; Mark 4:30-32; Luke 13:18, 19)
Then Jesus, speaking another parable, likened the kingdom of God to a mustard seed that grows from a...
