Real Good Thing!

“First the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear”. Mark 4:28

The second stage of growth for the Christian Newton compares to the ear of corn in its immature state. Like the corn, the Christian is still green. Many things can affect the growth of a green ear of corn. Birds, bugs, blight (Hey, alliteration!) can all take their toll and hamper or even halt the progress of the ear to maturity.

The same is true with the Christian. In fact Newton says that the characteristic of this state is conflict. “There are usually trials and exercises in [this] experience; something different in their kind and sharper in their measure than what [they were] exposed to, or indeed had strength to endure.” We all have different situations and weaknesses and thus we all are susceptible to different struggles and temptations. My mistake has been in viewing my stumblings and struggles as failures. In looking at each instance of yielding to tempation, of falling to sin as one more debit to my account in that big book in the sky if you will. That is the way I have always looked at sin in my own life. Newton certainly had my number. “Perhaps, like Israel, he thinks his difficulties are at an end, and expects to go on rejoicing until he enters the promised land. But, alas! his difficulties are in a manner but beginning; he has a wilderness before him, of which he is not aware.”

Why, I’ve often wondered, doesn’t God free us from temptation and sin and shortcomings when He makes us His? If we are secure in our salvation why do we so often fail to show it in our lives? Wouldn’t it make sense? But Newton sees it differently. “He would not allow sin to remain in them, if He did not purpose to over-rule it, for the fuller manifestation of the glory of His grace and wisdom, and for the making His salvation more precious to their souls.” Ah ha! So according to Newton’s thinking our failures and sins are not bricks in a wall between us and God, but rather those rungs on a ladder to complete dependence and confidence in His power and grace.

“He sometimes shows us what he can do for us and in us; and at other times how little we can do, and how unable we are to stand without him. The dark and disconsolate hours which he has brought upon himself in times past, make him doubly prize the light of God’s countenance. … Much has been forgiven him, therefore he loves much, and therefore he knows how to forgive and pity others. He does not call evil good, or good evil; but his own experiences teach him tenderness and forbearance.”

Next, what we’re all searching for, the full corn in the ear. It’s better than it sounds, trust me.