Jun 06

In giving the parable of the weeds and the tares, Jesus made a shrewd observation regarding why God does not root out all evil in the world right now. Jesus said that if he did, some of the righteous would also be pulled up.

Just as was noted earlier that many of the wicked did not suddenly spring forth from the ground fully formed as the wicked people they have become, so do the righteous not always appear fully mature. Both usually go through a process of maturation, like stalks of wheat growing from seeds.

The life we live in this world is our maturation process that God uses to bring forth the fruit he expects from us. Maturing in life involves growth and testing and trials. But if we submit to this growth process from God, we will reach maturity and provide the expected fruit for him. If we do not submit to his maturing process, we can sink to the lower levels of darkness and grow up stunted or, worse, become weeds in his garden, of no use to him except for being used as fuel for the fire of judgment.

So it is that God does not root up evil out of this world right now. Because maturation is a process and not all who are his are ready for that weeding out of evil. They need yet more time for that process to work on their souls and yield its precious fruit.

Scripture for today: Matthew 13:24-30
Thought for today: God gives us time to grow in him -- but one day,the time will be up.
Prayer for today: Lord, help me to make the most of the time you have given me to grow in you.

JUN 06