"ARE WE GROWING NEW WOOD?"

Christian growth; do we think of it as often as we should? Probably not, though we should. From the day we became a child of God, we were in a growing state that should never cease until our death. Too often, however, it seems to stop and become stagnant. When does growth stop? It would be well for us to say that it never stops as long as God gives us life, but too often growth does stop and decay sets in. But why?

When Longfellow was well along in his years, his head was as white as snow, but his cheeks were said to be as red as a rose. One of his long time admirers asked him how it was that he was able to stay so vigorous and still write so beautifully. Longfellow was said to point to a nearby apple tree that was in full bloom, and replied:

"That apple tree is very old, but I never saw prettier blossoms upon it than those it now bears. The tree grows a little new wood every year, and I suppose it is out of that new wood that those blossoms come. Like the apple tree, I try to grow a little new wood every year."

It seems to me that what Longfellow said about his continuing to grow should be the attitude of every child of God. It is only when we stop growing a little new wood that death and decay begins to set in (spiritually). "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day." (2 Corinthians 4:16).

Yet how different is that one who does not grow new wood so as to produce the necessary blossoms for new fruit. Hebrews 5 and 6 speak to us concerning this matter. "For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of God's Word...It is impossible to restore again to repentance... who have tasted the heavenly gift...if they commit apostasy, since they crucify the Son of God...and hold Him up to contempt" (Hebrews 5:12; 6:4,6). I know that what was just said refers to the individual child of God, but the same can be said of the congregation of the Lord's people. What happens when the congregation fails to "grow new wood?" As Revelation 3:1 tells us, "I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead."

In Psalm 1:3 and 4, David graphically describes the difference between continued growth and failure to continue in growth. "He is like a tree planted by streams of water, that yields its fruit in its season...he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff (the dead stocks of grain) which the wind drives away." Are you ready to grow new wood for the cause of Christ and future generations? Our children and grandchildren need the best example of good fruit and we should not expect the world or anything but God's truth to get that job done. Grow some new wood and produce something good for the cause of Christ.

God bless until our next time together.