It is all about the seed...

I listen to preachers who talk about sowing and reaping. There is much said in the Old and New Testaments about sowing seed and reaping a harvest. Scripture talks of types and shadows of the supernatural in the natural world (Colossians 2:17; Hebrews 9:14). I take issue with a few preachers who proclaim that if an individual sows "bad" seed, they will reap a "bad" harvest. Yet, if we take the observation of the natural world as a type and shadow of the supernatural world, then we must look at the process of natural sowing. For instance, farmers will often over seed a section of land. Why is this? Plainly, some seeds do not grow. They lie in the dirt lifeless and continue to lie in the dirt until they decompose and become dirt. In this way, the only good that can come out of sowing a bad seed is the production of more dirt. Every instruction on the back of a packet of seed includes the admonishment to use multiple seeds (usually 2 to 3) in each hole. Again, the reasoning behind this is the existence of potential bad seeds. Bad seed does not produce for its lack of a life-giving element.

Only good seed (kernels that have life in them) then produces a harvest. Too often, the preacher will use the analogy of sowing bad behavior as a precursor to reaping a poor harvest. Yet, this analogy does nothing but produce guilt in the ears of the listener. In contrast, if one focuses on sowing good seed, e.g., finances, good behaviors, good deeds, then we know that it produces a strong harvest. Bad seeds sown during the life of a believer do not produce. They lie in the dirt only to decay. Bad actions produce decay and death. It is high time to encourage the believer to not focus on past bad deeds. Jesus covers our past deeds. He died to pay the price for our past. His blood cleanses us of our past actions and provides forgiveness. We experience new life when we come to Jesus. Why then would a preacher seek to put one under the yoke of bondage? The only reason is to produce guilt. Guilt does not produce change. It binds the listener in condemnation.

One year, I worked a landscape project for my mentors, where I tilled over an acre of land to prepare it to receive grass seed. Their septic went out, and I worked to reseed their lawn. There was very rocky, hard, soft, and medium ground. Each different type of ground needed a different treatment. The hard ground required extensive re-working. The rocky ground required rock removal, etc. Yet, when it was ready, I used two 50 lb. bags of seed to seed the entire lot. My mentor asked why I needed so much seed. I told him, "Some seed won't produce. So we over seed to insure a good lawn." It was then that I began to ponder how many preachers use the analogy of sowing and reaping to discourage parishioners from sowing seeds of bad behavior, and conversely, to encourage them to sow seeds of good behavior. I don't believe the guilt works. Positive encouragement creates a better response in the believer's life.

So if you have felt guilty for past deeds, stop! Jesus paid the price for your past actions when he died on the cross in your stead. If your past actions condemn you, then consider receiving the forgiveness freely given in Christ's gift. Condemnation has no place in the life of a believer. Jesus desires our good behaviors in response to His life gift. You are no longer under law, but under grace. Romans 12:1 states, "There is, therefore, no condemnation for those who are Christ Jesus!" So why would you allow someone to condemn you?

I believe that actions have consequences and believers suffer some of those consequences, such as broken relationships, poor health, and addictions. Yet, I also believe that Christ's love for us is so great He restores and redeems the believer in every way. This includes our past actions. Christ Jesus can restore the broken, heal poor health, and deliver us from addiction. The only admonishment for the believer then is to be careful to sow only good seed as a response (James 2:26 ... faith without action is dead). Let our response to this great love be the ability to make positive actions toward others. Let our bad actions (bad seeds), fall to the ground to become dirt. Let us not take upon ourselves unnecessary guilt.

When you are in Christ Jesus, you are a new creation. The old has passed away, and the new has come. In Christ, we are no longer bound by our past lives. What must occur is the appropriation of the totality of Christ's finished work of the cross. The very moment you place your belief in Christ Jesus and accept His payment for all of your sins, His shed blood makes you righteous (Romans 3:22).  Our response to this exponential gift of grace is to follow Him and share His love with others. Can you imagine life discarding unnatural guilt? Can you see your life redeemed? Can you see the restoration of relationships? I can. I have experienced all the above. I have felt the freedom from unnecessary guilt and condemnation. I have felt redemption enter my life in very tangible ways. I have seen a restoration of past relationships. I have experienced a love so great; it encompassed my entire reality.

I invite you to discard the bad seeds of yesterday and accept the grace of total redemption. I invite you to experience freedom from addictions. I call you to accept the cleansing gift of Christ's payment for your sins and renewal of life. It is simple! State, "Lord Jesus, thank you for paying the price for all my sins. I place my belief in your gift of grace and accept you as my Lord and Savior." This is all you have to do. In your simple action, a supernatural act of God occurs. He transfers you from the realm of death to life. He cleanses your life fully and completely once and for all. Congratulations! Welcome home! Let all your future actions be to sow seeds of love in response to His great love for you.

Dr. Ramy Bakke