A thread where these...
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To be "born again" [John 3; a brand spanking new child of God, crying loudly, Abba, Father], is merely the beginning, not the end:
Romans 8:19 KJB - For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
Ephesians 4:13 KJB - Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
Ephesians 4:15 KJB - But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
2 Peter 3:18 KJB - But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
A "seed" is not a "tree", until it grows up and bears much "fruit". The "seed" [Christ Jesus] planted [received] in the soil of the heart must be watered, nurtured and receive of the Sun of righteousness, and the winds and showers of the Holy Ghost, otherwise, it becomes like the following seed:
Matthew 13:20 KJB - But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;
Matthew 13:21 KJB - Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.
Matthew 13:22 KJB - He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
Matthew 7:19 KJB - Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Luke 3:9 KJB - And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Luke 8:13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.
Luke 8:14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.
Jesus' entire life was to do one thing. Plant the seed. There are some who never receive the "seed" [Matthew 13:19 KJB], but there are others which did "receive", but by various means, some "become" unfruitful, for they had "believe[d] for a while", but in process of time "fall" away, and thus are good for nothing, but to be cut down, and thrown into the fire. Some might "dureth for a while", but they did not so unto the "end".
Have therefore, "patience" of the "saints":
Luke 8:15 KJB - But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.
Like Paul and Apollos, consider the greater Gardeners: Jesus, Holy Ghost and Father:
1 Corinthians 3:6 KJB - I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
Jesus planted.
Holy Ghost waters.
Father, giveth the increase, even as He is the Husbandman [John 15:1; James 5:7 KJB].
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