About six years ago I wrote about a tiny flower that was blooming along side of the walkway where people in our town take their walks. It is situated under a large oak tree and just pushes itself up beside the sidewalk. This morning (July 15, 2008) as I took my walk, I saw it again. For six or so years this little plant has tenaciously clung to that spot through wind, storm and drought, and it is still there for the enjoyment and delight of those who happen to pass by and notice it.
Surely, there is a lesson in that somewhere. I wonder how many people in the last six years have had numerous opportunities to hear the truth of the Gospel proclaimed, but who turned away from it and either stayed in, or turned to the hopeless doctrines of men, doctrines of which Jesus Himself said, “In vain they do worship me, teaching as their doctrines the commandments of men.” When told by His disciples that His words had offended the Pharisees He said, “Let them alone. They are blind guides of the blind, and if the blind lead the blind, they will both fall into the ditch” (cf. Matt. 15:1-14 – Read it all!).
I also wonder how many who were faithful to the Lord six years ago have now, like Demas, forsaken Him because of their love for the world. These are the ‘used-to-be’ Christians. They bring shame to themselves and to the church by their desertion, and they surely bring no glory to God.
If God can make that little flower bloom each year and bring glory to Him by its beauty, He can also make everyone who has never obeyed the Gospel bring fruit to glorify Him, and He does this when one “obeys from the heart” that Gospel. To that one who has drifted into sin and is overcome in it, He can lift you up and forgive you if you will repent and return to Him.
Is your life bringing beauty to the lives of others, and bringing glory to God? If not, why not obey Him today? Jesus said, “He who believes and is baptized shall be saved” (Mark 16:16).
