Process of Growing

"Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds." John 12:24

The process of growing wheat takes about a year and goes through four growth stages. First the plant grows leaves and branches. Then it shoots up stems, growing to it's full height. Then the stems terminates in it's head and it develops flowers, fertilizing its self from the movement of pollen. Once this happens the grain is it's ripping stage, the plant begins to wither and die. Each grain or kernel of wheat has it's own resources to protect and nurture the embryo of the wheat germ (as in germinate), allowing it to grow out of the soil into a new wheat plant, continuing the cycle of growth.

God made us us to grow and multiply: "Be fruitful and increase." see Genesis 1:28 But just like the wheat plant, unless we die to self, we cannot fully grow, increase and multiply. "What you sow does not come to life unless it dies." see 1 Corinthians 15:36.

This process of dying to self is for the believer who has decided to be a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ: "Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God." Romans 8:8. Life with Jesus no longer revolves around a "me" attitude. When self-centeredness begins to die, finally I begin to live. The "old self", of self-centeredness and sinfulness begin to fall away.

This lifestyle of making life "all about me" no longer fits. We no longer have to struggle with the sinful nature because there is life in the Spirit: "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit." Romans 8:1-4.

Death to self is a radical concept. But it is a principal, a design of God, shown in the example of a kernel of wheat dying, that it may grow and multiply. We must die to self, so that we can live the way God had intended. To accomplish this transformation or renovation of the heart, He uses our pain and sufferings but rejoice: "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4.

Our suffering in Christ leads to a future glory: "I consider that our present suffering are not worth comparing with the the glory that will be revealed in us." Romans 8:18. "In all things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us." Romans 8:37. Because of who Jesus is and what He has done, you have greatness in you!