… which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Summary: What kind of “good works” does God have for us to do? Looking through the Scriptures it seems clear that one way of looking at our work for God is to be caretakers for his Garden.
I’ve shared a bit about why I write this blog, but the “how” is interesting, too. This is not a platform where I tell others how to think. Far from it! This is a journey of discovery through Scripture, and we share our discoveries along the way. I use the word “we” because readers’ comments often influence the blog posts that follow. Today’s post is one of those.
What are the “works” that God has prepared for us to do? At first, my mind went to Paul’s propensity to proclaim predestination. In that worldview, God sees the entire tapestry of human existence. Sitting outside of time, God sees the whole of our lives from beginning to end. We are down on the ground experiencing our lives one moment at a time. It seems reasonable to me to conclude that God knows what is ahead and steers us in the directions he wants us to go. In this sense, we encounter opportunities for “good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Another way of looking at this topic is to see the world as an immense garden. Everyone who believes in God is a worker in this garden. Our job is to cast seed (the Word of God), water the seed (encourage one another), and help with the harvest (bringing people to faith in Jesus Christ). As Paul explains to the Corinthians:
“I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.” (1 Corinthians 3:6)
When Jesus spoke with the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well, he showed her that before he had ever met her, he knew all about her. Then he came right out and told her who he was. Then he revealed himself (John 4:25-26) as God’s Messiah. At first, she was stunned, then elated. Here she was, a Samaritan sinner, talking with the Jewish Messiah! She ran back to town and shared the news with everyone she could find.
As the crowd of townspeople started towards Jacob’s well where Jesus was, he explained to his disciples:
“Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. Thus the saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true. I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor.” (John 4: 35-38)
God may have specific tasks for us, but we are all welcome to work in His garden. Our job is not to pull weeds (Matthew 13: 28-29). Instead, we are to plant and water. All of this is to get ready for the harvest that Jesus mentioned.
Application: Get your gardening clothes on!
Food for Thought: What does it mean to “water the seed” in God’s garden?
What does it mean to “water the seed” in God’s garden?
My first thought is to baptize. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. Matthew 28:19-20.
Tim,
I like your thinking! Baptism is quite literally how we “water the seed” of the Spirit in us. I like the imagery!! Thank you!
What does it mean to “water the seed” in God’s garden?
I think that means to give someone hope and encouragement either through sharing the Word and/or living a life that emulates Christ. People hear God’s message and resist, but the seeds are planted. As a follower of Christ, you may water the seed just in daily conversation and in your actions. You may not be given the opportunity to witness, but your witness will show through in your life.
Chris,
Well said! I agree that fellowship and encouragement are both “water” for the soul. It is the sum of a million little things that add up to opening a person’s heart to the Gospel. It is a million more little things that help the seed grow and blossom. We are blessed to participate in that process.
04-11-2022, What does it mean to “water the seed” in God’s garden?
The seed is the word of God, is planted by God as He works through His people by the power of the Holy Spirit. Some are gifted and called to plant, some with watering, but only God causes growth.
Luke 8:11, “Now the parable is this: the seed is the word of God.
Matthew 15:13, But He answered and said, “Every plant which My heavenly Father did not plant shall be uprooted.
1 Corinthians 3:6, I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth.
1 Corinthians 3:7, So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth.
Thank you, Ron!
We do have different gifts, and just like on a farm, I think we have different roles at different times. Some days I carry water, some days I sprinkle it. 🙂