THE CROSS-OVER GRACE

THE PARABLE OF WHEAT AND TARES

A Parable is a teaching method used by Jesus to convey deep spiritual truths through simple stories all understood. This is the Parable of the wheat and the tares (Matt 13:24-30; 36-43). The Man who sows the seed represents Jesus or God. He plants good seeds, a symbol of spreading the Gospel and the establishment of the Kingdom of Heaven. The Field is the world where the seeds (God’s Word) are sown. The Good Seed are the children of the Kingdom, those who receive and live by God’s Word. The Kingdom of Heaven is the rule and reign of The Lord Jesus Christ as King. It is not just a future concept but a present reality, established in the world through the spreading of the Gospel. Tares are bitter and poisonous to men and animals. Flour made from tares is grey in colour, with a sour bitter taste. It produces dizziness, nausea, trembling and sometimes death if eaten in sufficient amounts. Spiritually, tares are seeds Satan is planting. They are counterfeits, false brethren who look convincing for a season but rooted in rebellion. The true believers are called to grow and bear fruit in the world. As the Sower waits for harvest, we exercise patience and discernment, trusting God’s timing and judgment. We know that there is an enemy (Satan) who seeks to disrupt the work of the Kingdom. We must be alert in prayer, spread the Word and continue to do spiritual warfare!

Jesus is showing us Satan’s favourite tactic. It is a very clever strategy. When the farmer sows the good seed, the enemy does not try to dig it up, burn the field, poison the ground or steal the wheat. Instead, he plants his tares among the wheat. The roots of the tares are like underground “leeches”. They surround the roots of the wheat to suck up all its nutrients. Because the roots are so intertwined, pulling these tares out also uproots the wheat. The tares are called “false wheat”. They look just like the real wheat until they bear seed. At harvest, the difference is clear. The tares proudly stand up. In worship, the wheat bows its head because the seeds are heavy. Jesus is teaching us today: in life or in church, it is very hard to tell who is good and who is bad. Sometimes, we must wait until the harvest to discover the truth. That takes discernment of spirits, prayer, patience, faith, and hope!

Who are Satan’s bad seeds? They are bitter people, discouragers, deceivers and oppressors. They choke the good seed. The Christians around them remain spiritually immature and unfruitful. These bitter complaining people discourage you to study the Bible, fast, pray and serve God better. “And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them… He who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful” (Matt 13:7,22). “Look carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled” (Heb 12:15). The tares are religious people who claim to be Christians, attend church, but lack the spiritual fruit of love. They don’t feed others. They preach False Doctrines or behaviours that contradict clear Scripture. They minimize the cross, deny Jesus’ deity, or distort God’s grace into license. “For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ” (Jude 1:4). Bitter people are proud, have unresolved anger issues, and lack forgiveness. They are never happy, have a wrong perception of reality, a victim mentality and a desire for revenge. They isolate themselves from others. Jesus warned us: “By their fruit you will recognize them” (Matt 7:16). Selah!

They are religious but lack the power of the Holy Spirit to transform their character, “having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!” (2 Tim 3:5). They do not hate sin. They live in habitual, unrepentant, rebranded sin. “Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him” (1Jn3:6). They follow rebellious leaders who exploit others for their gain or glory. False prophets deny or replace the power of the Holy Spirit with emotional hype, or human effort. Separate yourself from them!

How do we identify the true believers? These are people of the Word, wise, loving, genuinely spiritual. Their confession and lives are Christ centred, with Evident fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Gal 5:22-23). They display Wisdom that is “pure, then peace-loving, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits” (Jam 3:17). There is an increasing likeness to Christ over time. Lessons for us: Study and Stay in the Word because it is “the sword of the Spirit” (Eph 6:17) and the Plumb Line for Truth! Human wisdom is useless and dangerous. Test the spirits (1Jn 4:1). Compare every impulse or teaching with Scripture. Watch for the long-term fruit. Time exposes the truth. Listen to the Holy Spirit’s inner voice of peace or warning. Obey it!

The farmer servants wanted to uproot the tares. The farmer surprised them by saying ‘no!’ Why God Allows Tares to Remain? For the Protection of the wheat: premature pulling can damage the tender shoots of the good shoots.  For the Display of God’s patience: “The Lord is not slow… but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish” (2 Pet 3:9). For the Clearer revelation at harvest. Light shines on truth!

How should we Respond When We Notice Weeds? Stay Calm! The Master is aware; nothing escapes God’s eye. Guard Your Own Growth. Focus on healthy nourishment: Word, prayer, fellowship. Hold to truth without dilution. Extend Love, Grace, Kindness and help others, but do not Compromise your testimony.  Leave Ultimate Separation to Christ. Trust that He will do it at the Harvest time thru His angels!

Search your heart! Practice repentance, worship and gratitude; these spiritual activities enrich the soil for the good seed to grow. Serve others. Weeds thrive in selfishness, but love drives them out. In our complicated world, we should spend more time planting love, kindness and forgiveness, than trying to pull up hatred, bitterness, envy and anger. Jesus is our master gardener who knows exactly what He is doing. He assures us that at harvest time, the wheat will be gathered and brought into His barn, and the tares will be burned. Jesus never makes mistakes. He knows every stalk of wheat and will separate the true from the false at the appointed time. Until then, keep sowing, watering, watching, and let His Word and His Spirit guide you every step. Maintain hope, pray and persevere. God can transform tares into wheat through the new birth! The harvest is sure and shining: “Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father”!

THE LAW OF SOWING AND REAPING

“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Gal 6:7-10). The Law of sowing and reaping is a natural law. It affects everyone in every area of life, family, work, and pleasure. At creation, God commanded the earth to bring forth plants “bearing seed and fruit with seed in it” (Gen 1:12). These plants were given to man for food. Sowing and reaping is also a spiritual law. Our actions have consequences. What we sow in faith, we will reap the same in God’s timing. God uses this law to bestow His blessings, generally to the whole world as He sends sun and rain to the just and the unjust (Matt 5:45). Sometimes, His blessings increase. Isaac sowed seed and received a hundredfold harvest because the Lord targeted him for special blessing (Gen 26:12). Every farmer understands this law: We reap what we sow, proportionately and more than we sow, and later than we sow. 

*We reap in kind what we sow. Those who plant apple seeds should expect to harvest apples, not pears. Those who sow anger should expect to receive what anger naturally produces. Living a life of carnality and sin and expecting to inherit heaven is the same as planting sand and expect roses from the ground. Sowing and reaping implies a period of waiting. Nothing good grows overnight. The farmer must be patient to see the fruit of his labours. God will bring forth fruit in His time and for His glory. Until then, we faithfully labour in His field. This works positively and negatively. “Those who plow iniquity and sow trouble reap the same” (Job 4:8). “The righteous is delivered from trouble, and it comes to the wicked instead” (PV 11:8). *We reap proportionately what we sow. The more seed planted, the more fruit is harvested. The Bible applies this law to our giving. Those who are generous will be blessed more than those who are stingy. “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously” (2 Cor 9:6). *We reap more than what we sow. The law of sowing and reaping is related to the law of multiplication bringing forth “a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown” (Matt 13:8). One little lie can produce many troubles. One good deed result in blessings to last a lifetime. *We reap later than we sow!

God is the Ultimate Provider. All gifts and blessings come from God. He supplies for both physical and spiritual needs. Trust God to provide. Show love to others. Live a righteous life; a life that pleases God! Our righteous acts are seeds that God will multiply. We share what we have received: truth, effort, spiritual gifts, abilities, words of encouragement, kindness, time and opportunities to help others for the sake of Christ! Give generously and cheerfully to church, missions and to the needy. Pray that the seeds sown will produce lasting fruit. The harvest includes spiritual growth, transformed lives, and eternal reward. Faithfulness now sets the stage for multiplied impact later.

Jesus sent Peter to catch a fish with money in its mouth. God told Isaac to stay there but did not tell him to plant. It was Isaac who thought of farming. The natural must cooperate with the supernatural. Isaac planted seed according to the written word: “While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest… Shall not cease” (Gen 8:22). Be sure you are at the place God wants you to be. Blessings are related to locations. Most Christians behave like the world. They look for natural solutions to their problems. They ask: where can I find loan to build my house? Others only look at the supernatural. They fast, pray and wait for miracles. Both extremes are wrong. You need a word from God and then “be strong and work!”. Isaac planted seed in the dry ground. That looks foolish. But God blessed the seeds and the harvest was a 100-fold. That type of harvest is rare even during normal seasons with rains. It is God’s blessing! Nothing is impossible for God! Praise the Lord!

GOD HAS ALL POWER

Earth spins once in 24 hours. At the equator the speed of the Earth is 1,600 km per hour! Without fuel! “God has spoken once, Twice I have heard this: That power belongs to God” (Ps 62:11). When God speaks, it is final. All men must listen, understand and obey God’s Word. God is omnipotent. He has the Almighty power to create. He is the ultimate Judge and Ruler over all men, devils and created beings. God has the power to save, protect, heal, deliver, kill or resurrect anyone according to His plan and purpose. God does whatever He is pleased to do. Nothing is too hard for him. His word is never void of power, so when He speaks, everything in creation obeys him. Of course, men disobey God; that is the essence of sin. But God has control even over sinful actions. He decides whether we will travel or stay home. He controls even the decisions of wicked people. He decided, once, that wicked people would kill His dear Son, so that we sinners might live (Acts 2:23-24). God’s Love, power and grace culminate in the Person of His Son. “Jesus came up and said to them, “All authority (all power of absolute rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me” (Matt 28:18; AMP).

God’s power is constant, unchanging, exclusively His own, with no rival, and no shortage. Power is not merely from God; it is His exclusive possession. This revelation is settled. It is a truth that provides stability and assurance in a world of uncertainty. We must listen attentively to God’s voice, recognize and submit to His authority. We must rely on God’s power rather than our own strength, especially in times of trouble or weakness. Understanding that power belongs to God helps us to trust in His plans and purposes, even when they are beyond our understanding. Recognizing God’s power should lead us to worship Him with reverence and awe, acknowledging His supreme authority over all creation. Because all power belongs to God, fear, doubt and anxiety must be totally rejected. During trials, God’s power provides a way out of it (1Cor 10:13). During financial stress, God is the Source of wealth. When sick, God heals and sustains. When spouse, children or friends go astray, God’s wisdom and strength will bring them back. “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” (Philip 4:13)!

THE CROSSOVER GRACE

Read Acts 16:16-40. Paul and Silas went to prison for doing God’s will. They prayed and praised God at the same time. Prayer can be silent. Praise is always done with loud voices, with clapping hands and dancing feet. Paul and Silas were in chains. They could not clap their hands or dance with their feet. But they could shout and sing praises to God. They praised God while in pains, wounded. They praised God while in confusion. Why did God allowed them to be arrested for doing ministry? Praise releases power. It is also called “Midnight Grace” or “Cross-over Grace”. The Power of Resurrection breaks chains and opens graves of sickness, poverty and all bondages. The prisoners heard them and were convicted. None ran away. The jailer and his family became saved. This is God’s time of revival! Worship the Lord!